Chuck Robbins, SRJC’s Director of Economic Development, discussed the state of the rapidly changing job market and how it affects Sonoma County in a seminar on Sept. 22 at Doyle Library. Robbins’s suggestions were simple: get more education, adapt to change and obtain useful skills. The hour long session discussed many issues relevant to desperate people looking for a way out of the current mess.
Robbins began the seminar by saying, “I’m not a prophet; if I were I’d be retired by now.” This truthful, joking statement set the tone, telling the audience there is no quick fix or magic answers. People need to keep learning and adapting to the ever-changing market to stand a chance.
Job loss numbers, outsourcing and gloomy outlooks from the recession brought up were worthy of gasps and sighs from the crowd. “You should be pleased to know that the recession is officially over as of June 2009,” Robbins said. He explained that in most recessions, job rates usually take 18-20 months after the end to pick up. Jobs are typically last to come back as employers and financial institutions are still apprehensive of hiring and loaning.
The job market is changing faster than any time in recent history due to technology, outsourcing and new education “The best career to obtain is one that won’t be outsourced,” Robbins said.
Robbins discussed the Bay Area market extensively in trends, projected growth and the fastest growing fields. The fastest growing fields in the Bay Area have very high education requirements. However, jobs like systems technician, dental hygienist, medical records technician and social services assistant are all viable options for people who want a stable, well-paying job with relatively low education.
Sonoma County is mainly an agriculture and construction-based area, but there are additional job options in the tech sector, tourism, retail, wholesale and health and wellness industries. Robbins said the agriculture, food and wine industries are projected to have negative growth in the coming decade. The fastest growing professions are health and wellness, and creative professional services such as computer design, advertising and other creative industries.
The crowd of 30-40 people was mostly middle-aged, vocation seeking students and younger paralegal students. When Robbins asked if anyone had questions, one woman replied, “This is depressing.” She was visibly upset, stating she lost her job and has a lot of education, yet can’t find work. Robbins sympathized with the woman, while going back over information to help her out.
According to Robbins the only thing to do is get more education and keep adapting. An education does not guarantee a job, but based on Robbins information, BA degree recipients get 33 percent more money than people with high school diplomas and 62 percent more than someone without a diploma.