10 Vocational Skills in Demand Today with Jobs Waiting to be Filled

Want to know which are the ten vocational skills in demand today?  Let’s face it, the job market is quite difficult nowadays, so a tip or two is indeed welcome, and knowing what skills are in demand can be the difference between having skills no one needs, and finding a job quickly and easily.

Thus, we have compiled a list of the vocational skills in demand today. These are not necessarily the best paid ones. In case you want to find out which are the vocational careers that pay the most,  check out our list of the 8 Highest Paying Vocational Careers. These vocational skills do however almost guarantee you’ll find willing suitors on the jobs market.

Not everyone has access to higher education, but vocational training can help you learn helpful skills for career paths that are needed right now. Despite the common belief, contemporary vocational careers are not only limited to manual and procedural skills, but also technological competence, communicating skills, typing skills, writing abilities and many more.

According to ManpowerGroup’s Talent Shortage Survey, the jobs American employers find the most difficult to fill are skilled trades; those occupations that require special skills and which are related to manual labor.  This is closely related to what various sources point out: the baby boomers’ inevitable retirement is leaving a wide gap of labor-intensive jobs to be filled. Moreover, high school programs in the United States are clearly focused on preparing students for college, rather than vocational training schools. Taking all of this into account, it is probably a good idea to shift our attention to the vocational skills market and analyze the possibilities it offers.

For our list we used the information published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Now, let’s take a look at the countdown, for I’m sure you’re eager to find out which are the ten vocational skills in demand today.

 

10. Barbers, Hairdressers and Cosmetologists

10 Vocational Skills in Demand Today

2012 Median Pay: $22,770 per year

Entry-level Education: Post-secondary non-degree award

Number of Jobs (2012): 663,300

Job outlook (2012-2022): 13%

 

9. Dental Care

 10 Vocational Skills in Demand Today

Dental Hygienists

2012 Median Pay: $70,210 per year

Entry-level Education: Associate’s degree

Number of Jobs (2012): 192,800

Job outlook (2012-2022): 33%

Dental Assistants

2012 Median Pay: $34,500 per year

Entry-level Education: Post-secondary non-degree award

Number of Jobs (2012): 303,200

Job outlook (2012-2022): 25%

 

8. Computer Support Specialists

10 Vocational Skills in Demand Today

2012 Median Pay: $48,900 per year

Entry-level Education: Post-secondary non-degree award or Associate’s degree

Number of Jobs (2012): 722,400

Job outlook (2012-2022): 17%

 

 

7. Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers

10 Vocational Skills in Demand Today

2012 Median Pay: $18,400 per year

Entry-level Education: Less than high school

Number of Jobs (2012): 4,438,100

Job outlook (2012-2022): 12%

 

6. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

10 Vocational Skills in Demand Today

2012 Median Pay: $30,290 per year

Entry-level Education: Associate’s degree

Number of Jobs (2012): 84,800

Job outlook (2012-2022): 30%

The first half of our list is down, and the top 5 vocational skills in demand today remain; check them out on the next pages.

5. Accountants and Auditors

10 Vocational Skills in Demand Today

2012 Median Pay: $63,550 per year

Entry-level Education: Bachelor’s degree

Number of Jobs (2012): 1,275,400

Job outlook (2012-2022): 13%

4. Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers

10 Vocational Skills in Demand Today

2012 Median Pay: $38,200 per year

Entry-level Education: Post-secondary non-degree award

Number of Jobs (2012): 1,701,500

Job outlook (2012-2022): 11%

 

3. Manufacturing

10 Vocational Skills in Demand Today

Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives

2012 Median Pay: $57,870 per year

Entry-level Education: Post-secondary non-degree award or Associate’s degree

Number of Jobs (2012): 1,863,000

Job outlook (2012-2022): 9%

2. Construction

 10 Vocational Skills in Demand Today

Construction Equipment Operators

2012 Median Pay: $40,980 per year

Entry-level Education: High school diploma or equivalent

Number of Jobs (2012): 409,700

Job outlook (2012-2022): 19%

 

Construction Laborers and Helpers

2012 Median Pay: $29,160 per year

Entry-level Education: None

Number of Jobs (2012): 1,284,600

Job outlook (2012-2022): 25%

 

1. Health Care and Social Assistance

10 Vocational Skills in Demand Today

Social Workers

2012 Median Pay: $44,200 per year

Entry-level Education: Bachelor’s degree

Number of Jobs (2012): 607,300

Job outlook (2012-2022): 19%

Social and Human Service Assistants

2012 Median Pay: $28,850 per year

Entry-level Education: High school diploma or equivalent

Number of Jobs (2012): 372,700

Job outlook (2012-2022): 22%