Business

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, December 15, 2008 What fields are still hiring locally Jobs are open in health care and casinos; other firms may hire in 2009. By Yoshiaki Nohara Herald Writer While the ailing economy continues to cut jobs in various industries, ResCare HomeCare is adding people. "We are still hiring. We are always hiring," said Peggy Watson, a supervisor for the company's Everett office. Watson said she supervises about 65 caregivers and can add more. "The home care industry is a little bit different from other industries because it's ongoing and there are always people who need help," Watson said. Jobs are still being filled in health care and other fields such as casinos and home entertainment, said Sam Virgil, business services manager for WorkSource Snohomish County. The aging population in Snohomish County increases the demand for health care. As people cut back on shopping and eating out, they seem to be spending money on video games, cable television and satellite dishes to entertain themselves at home. "They are being more cautious about going out," Virgil said. The gloomy economy still has a silver lining, Virgil said. For example, local biomedical companies are still holding job events and could hire people in early 2009. T-Mobile USA Inc. is relocating its information technology center to Canyon Park in Bothell in spring 2009. The center is expected to house mainly existing employees, but could add new jobs, said Ryan Crowther, communications manager for the Economic Development Council of Snohomish County. "It helps us look positively on Snohomish County's future," Crowther said. "These are family-wage jobs." The Boeing Co. and its suppliers could generate more jobs after the aerospace giant sealed contracts with its machinists and engineers, Crowther said. But the overall local economy remains weak. The county has been hit by a series of bad economic news over the last few months, reflecting the national economic downturn that officials say could be the worst since the Great Depression. The county's unemployment rate rose to 6.1 percent in October from 5.1 percent in September, according to the state Employment Security Department. Jobs in retail, construction and other fields have been lost. In October, Meridian Yachts, a major employer in north Snohomish County, announced it will shut down because of sagging boat sales nationwide. The closure is expected to eliminate several hundred jobs. The county lost about 800 jobs in retail in October, said Donna Thompson, regional economist for the employment security department. People traditionally had counted on retail jobs in tough economic times. Hard times are expected to continue into 2009, Thompson said. "We are going to see more of the same," she said. Health care providers are still hiring, but rising service costs could hurt employment in the field, Thompson said. "The need is there," she said. "Whether they will be able to meet the need, I don't know." Watson, of ResCare HomeCare, said the company is hiring laid-off people and those who are struggling to make ends meet in a bad economy. The firm provides training for new hires, Watson said. Pay starts at $10.15 per hour. If they work at least 20 hours per week for the first three months, they can get health, dental and vision insurance with full premiums paid by the company, she said. Government social workers manage the clients that the company serves, Watson said. As the state trims expenses to balance its budget next year, the business could experience changes. "We don't know what rules and restrictions they will put on if any, it's just wait and see," she said. Demand keeps rising for home-care providers, Watson said. "As long as there's a need for something, it will keep going," she said. "There's definitely a demand in this type of service. But who knows what tomorrow will bring? I might be telling a different story tomorrow." Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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