19 Dying Occupations and How to get free training

Do you consider a career change? Are you struggling to get a job but not sure why? Can it be that you have a Dying Occupation and the number of jobs available is shrinking rapidly?

One of my readers asked,” Tell me about occupations that will be gone in the next 5-10 years”. Thank you, Gennadiy, for a great question.

The post will review three groups of occupations and 19 occupations that projected to decline the most from 2016 to 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report titled Fastest declining occupations. We also will review a major government program offering FREE support and training for qualified job seekers.

Office and Admin Support Jobs

Challenge: Office Admin Support occupations projected to lose 257,000 jobs by 2026.

Employment for office and admin support occupations is projected to decline by 20 percent on average.

This is because many executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants can support more than one manager in an organization. (Credit: BLS). Specific job titles affected in the occupation group, listed in descending order by a total number of jobs lost.

Job Description	Number of Jobs lost
Exec. secretaries (administrative assistants)	-119,200
Data entry keyers	-43,300
Legal secretaries	-37,100
Word processors and typists	-24,800
Answering service operators	-18,500
Computer operators	-11,800
Telephone operators	-2,000
Total Number of Jobs Lost by 2026	-256,700 jobs

Opportunity: Healthcare sector.

Employment of medical secretaries is projected to grow 22 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. (Credit: BLS).

Manufacturing Jobs

Challenge: Employment of manufacturing jobs is projected to decline 22 percent, with a loss of about 406,900 jobs from 2016 to 2026.

New technology continues to replace many of the manufacturing workers that make up a large share of the production occupations. (Credit: BLS).

Specific job titles in the occupation group, listed in descending order by a total number of jobs lost.

Electrical and Electromechanical equipment assemblers/repairs
Aircraft manufacturing assemblers
Prepress technicians and workers
Engine, machine assemblers
Grinding and polishing workers
Photographic processing workers
Textile machine operators
Metal and plastic manufacturing machine operators

Opportunity: Trade Adjustment Assistance Program (TAA).

The TAA Program is a federal program that assists U.S. workers who have lost or may lose their jobs as a result of foreign trade. This program can provide you with opportunities to obtain new skills, credentials, resources, and support necessary to become reemployed. Since 1975, the TAA program has served more than 2 million U.S. workers. (Credit: TAA Program).

Benefits of TAA Program include:

Employment and Case Management Services: Skills assessments, individual employment plans, career counseling, support services, and information on training, labor markets
Training: Classroom training, on-the-job training, and apprenticeship programs
Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA): Income support available (weekly cash payments) to workers who are enrolled in a full-time training course and have exhausted their unemployment insurance.
Job Search and Relocation Allowance offers reimbursement for the costs of seeking employment o relocation costs outside of the worker’s commuting area

Read more about TAA eligibility, how to file a petition, get more information about benefits, and how to contact the TAA Program, or download FREE The Trade Adjustment Assistance Program Brochure.

Other Groups of Occupations in Decline

Healthcare Practitioners & Technical: Respiratory therapy technicians, 6,100 jobs loss
Installation and Repair: Electronic equipment install/repair, motor vehicles 3,100 jobs
Protective Service: Parking enforcement workers, 3,300 jobs
Management: Postmasters and mail superintendents, 3,000 jobs

Conclusion:

If you have not been affected by the list of Dying Occupations, great, congratulations! If you know someone who might be, please send them a link to the article, have a conversation to help them to become aware of the job market trend.

If you are affected, and your occupation is listed:

Don`t panic. The news is not the end but an opportunity to redesign your career!
Don`t wait until you lose your job, act now
Contact nearest American Job Center (use your zip code to locate)
Call them and schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor
Learn more, determine your eligibility and create a plan of action to address the challenge

My Story:

In the Spring of 2013, I was laid off from my job. Total of 150 people lost their jobs. Of course, I was upset, in shock and unsure what to do.

The steps I took immediately after coming back home on the day:

Went online and filed my unemployment claim with the Colorado Department of Labor
Reviewed my exit package and my final payslip to assure accuracy
Contacted my former boss and asked his permission to list him as my reference

A week after I was laid off I visited Larimer County Workforce Center and met with my Career Counselor – Linda Stovall. I must tell you a word about the lady. She saved my life. She listened, held my hand, advised what to do, encouraged me at the time of despair, told me stories about her challenges, made me laugh and just revived me. She also helped me to apply for TAA Program.

It took almost two months, but I received approval for an education grant ($30,000) which paid for tuition for my Master Degree program (MBA) at Colorado State University.

My lay off was the best thing that happened to me!! I was able to complete my degree, finish my MBA and secure the most amazing highly-compensated jobs afterward. Thanks to Linda at the Workforce Center.

Summary: Everything is an opportunity, don`t miss out, get out of Dying Occupation and meet with TAA advisor near you to see if you could qualify for TAA program. It is worth your time!