An article in the Las Cruces Sun-News notes that a report released recently by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that now through 2020 should be a good time for people in the health care field. In the list of jobs that should show growth during that period, registered nurses placed at the very top.
The government reports that industries and occupations related to health care, social assistance and construction are projected to have the fastest growth.
Registered nurse is the job at the top of the list, followed by retail salesperson, home health aide, personal care aide and office clerk to round out the top five.
The largest job losses, though, are expected to take place in the U.S. Postal Service, while manufacturing and “farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers” have a large projected decline in jobs nationwide.
Health-care trend
Richard Wagner, area director with the New Mexico Workforce Connection office in Las Cruces, said he is not surprised to see health care high on the list and expects the Las Cruces area will mimic that national trend.“Health care is a big occupation here that needs to be filled,” Wagner said. “Because of the population we’re attracting, older people, retirees, there are individuals who need more medical care.”
New Mexico State University economist Chris Erickson said health care is already a large part of the local economy.
“This continues a trend as health care was the fastest growing sector during the last decade,” Erickson said.