Registered nurses in hot demand - Jan. 24, 2006

06-009

Media contacts: Dave Wallace, 360-438-4818
Bill Tarrow, 360-902-9376

Audio: http://fortress.wa.gov/esd/portal/info/newsroom/audio

OLYMPIA – The hottest jobs at the beginning of 2006 are in the medical, information technology and retail fields, according to a new report released by the Employment Security Department.   

Based on a survey of 15,000 Washington businesses last October, registered nurses topped the list of occupations in demand for the third survey in a row, with an estimated 5,160 positions unfilled statewide.  It is the largest number of nursing vacancies since the Washington State Job Vacancy Survey began in 2002. 

Computer-applications engineers ranked second with 2,776 job vacancies statewide, followed by cashiers with 2,414 openings. 

Over all, an estimated 68,263 jobs went unfilled in Washington in October 2005, compared to 50,570 a year earlier.  

“The survey shows that the economy is getting stronger and there is a wide variety of jobs available for all levels of education and skill,” said Karen Lee, Employment Security commissioner.  “That’s good news for people who are looking for work or looking to move up.”  

Some 52 percent of the job openings were in King County.  Further, 66 percent of the openings were full-time positions versus 34 percent part-time.   

While many of the occupations require some level of higher education or specialty training, almost half required a high school diploma or less.  

Lee noted that, not surprisingly, the wages being offered rose with the education required.  Jobs with no educational requirement offered a median-starting wage of $8 per hour, compared to $22 for positions requiring a graduate degree. 

“For most people, a good education is still the best path to economic success,” Lee said.  

Job seekers can learn more about prevalent occupations and search more than 27,000 jobs listed online at www.go2worksource.com or by visiting a local WorkSource center.  There are more than 70 WorkSource centers statewide.  

WorkSource is a partnership of government agencies, community colleges and nonprofit organizations that offer career services for job seekers and businesses.    

At a center, job seekers can use computers, phones, copiers and fax machines; get work referrals and resume help; and attend career workshops and connect with employers at job fairs. They also can search job listings and post their resumes online.

Employers can take advantage of computerized job matching, get assistance with recruitment and layoffs, and have access to information on wages, training and tax credits to save their business money. 

The full job-vacancy report is available online at www.workforceexplorer.com.

Web Links
Office locations and resources for job seekers and businesses, including a searchable database of job listings

Information on occupations, wages and other economic trends

Apply for benefits online 24 hours a day or by phone from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays