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New Jersey poised to add jobs in 2011
New Jersey is poised to add jobs in 2011 thanks to a private sector that is slowly recovering from a devastating recession.
Analysts continue to preach caution, knowing that the age of austerity goes hand in hand with slow economic growth. But the brightening picture should bring hope to thousands of job seekers, particularly in health care, alternative energy and professional services.There are employment bright spots. Among them:
-- Health care. The industry is slowly becoming more efficient by adding technology so medical records can be tapped into online. Some say the demand for services is expected to climb as the state's baby boomers reach retirement. It has put a premium on clinical workers such as nurses; radiologists; and respiratory, physical and occupational therapists.
"We do foresee continuing to hire this year," said Rob Seman, a spokesman for Morristown Memorial Hospital. "We do have openings. We are looking for more specialized staff."
-- "Green jobs" and alternative energy. Employers looking for ways to cut costs and protect the environment are opening doors for energy providers such as Petra Solar, a South Plainfield company that makes solar energy products for utilities. The company's work force has grown from 15 in 2009 to 170 today.
Jeana Wirtenberg, co-founder of Fairleigh Dickinson University's Institute for Sustainable Enterprise, said it's not just the obvious firms like solar providers that have so-called green jobs, but many different private and government jobs are available.
"There are tons of opportunities if you look at the big picture," said Wirtenberg, a Montville woman who recently launched a new business, Transitioning to Green (www.transitioningtogreen.com). The website offers information about ways to promote sustainability in the workplace for employers and workers and posts a list of jobs available. There are traditional jobs for scientists and engineers, but also positions in sales and even one for a manager of corporate strategy in "human sustainability."
Wirtenberg's firm helps people figure out how to use their skills, and possibly add some new ones, to get green jobs.
-- Professional and business services. New Jersey's economy over the decades has made a transition from manufacturing to services . . . a sector that ranges from temporary help to scientists . .Learn more