Look Around HR

The dreaded R word (recession) is being thrown around pretty commonly these days, and it has just about everyone nervous. A common reaction many employers have during the economic downtimes is to cut staff. The recent job numbers show that to be true. While industries like finance and manufacturing are taking a hit, other industries remain strong- and even strive.

Here are the top five “recession proof” industries, according to MSN CareerBuilder:

Industry No. 1: Education
With more teachers retiring and an increasing number of students enrolling in grades K-12, the demand for skilled teachers is rising. The National Center for Education Statistics predicts that in the next eight years, 2.8 million teachers must join the existing 3.2 million teachers because of retirements, higher enrollment and teacher turnover.

Industry No. 2: Energy
The oil industry faces 80 percent of its work force reaching retirement age in the next decade, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. As a result, jobs related to oil and gas, alternative and renewable energy, and even nuclear energy are likely to see job growth at a steady pace.

Industry No. 3: Environmental sector
The environmental industry created 5.3 million jobs in 2005, according to a United Nations report. As concerns about global warming swell, more and more companies are “going green” and will hire engineers and scientists to develop “green” technology. They’ll also need guidance for becoming more eco-friendly.

Industry No. 4: Health care
Nearly half of the 30 fastest growing jobs are in health services, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some of these jobs include medical assistants, physical therapists and home health aides.

Employers in California entice nurses with $7,500 signing bonuses for hard-to-fill jobs and $3,500 for traditional positions, according to the California Jobs Journal. They’re also providing $3,000 annually for continuing education and relocation reimbursement, as well as time off to pursue professional interests, overtime pay and the option to work 12-hour shifts with four days off per week.

Industry No. 5: Security
There will always be a need for security, whether it’s in airports, at U.S. borders or in a company protecting vital information. The Defense and Homeland Security departments need to fill an estimated 83,000 jobs over the next two years, according to a 2007 report by the Partnership for Public Service.

It’s important to remember that entering these industries may not be as hard as it seems. If you are an office assistant for a financial company, you should be able to transition to a hospital or school, etc with training. Education doesn’t only mean teachers; health care doesn’t only mean nurses. Look for ways that key industries can utilize your skills.