It’s no secret that today’s job market is difficult, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t opportunities out there for people with the right skills. The even better news for current and future students at vocational schools and technical colleges is that many of the most-popular trade school careers are also among the professions projected to see the greatest growth in the years ahead. Given these circumstances, it should come as no surprise then to find out that vocational education enrollment in America is booming.

 

It is common knowledge that the Medical and Technology professions will enjoy tremendous growth between now and 2018, but they aren’t the only fields that will be hiring. Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest projections, the 50 fastest-growing occupations also include vocationally-trained positions in the Legal and Finance industries, as well as many of the skilled technical fields traditionally associated with trade schools (e.g. HVAC mechanics). The simple fact is, there has never been a better time to graduate with a vocational degree or certificate from accredited trade school programs.

 

Which Vocationally-Trained Professions Are In The Greatest Demand?

 

The following section discusses those trade school careers that appear on the list of the 50 fastest-growing occupations between now and 2018.

 

Network Systems Analyst

 

The need for people proficient in the design, analysis, testing, and evaluation of computer network systems continues to increase as our society becomes more integrated with technology. For those vocational students who choose to train for a career in this field, the future is expected to be extremely bright. Over the next seven years, the occupation fo Network Systems Analyst is projected to experience greater than 50% growth – making it the country’s second-fastest growing profession..

 

Physician Assistant

 

The aforementioned boom in the health care industry is expected to created a massive demand for Physician Assistants over the next decade. The wide range of patient-care responsibilities held by these professionals makes them an indispensable contributor to any successful hospital, physician’s office or other health care facility. The Physician Assistant occupation is projected to grow at the seventh-fastest rate of any profession, adding nearly 30,000 new jobs nationally over the next decade for a 39% increase.

 

Esthetician

 

Also called Estheticians, Skin Care Specialists are licensed in numerous techniques that treat and improve the appearance of their patient’s facial skin. While the majority of these specialists work in either salons or spas, many of them eventually open their own practices after establishing sufficient client bases. If you’re interested in pursuing this career, employment opportunities should be plentiful as the field’s 38% growth makes it the nation’s eighth-fastest growing.

 

Physical Therapy Assistants and Aides

 

Ranked 11th and 17th respectively on the list of fastest-growing occupations, Physical Therapist Aides and Assistants help patients rehabilitate from injury or other physical problems. Aides typically work under the supervision of either a Physical Therapist, or the Physical Therapist Assistant. The national growth rate for these two occupations is expected to be over 33% over the next seven years.

 

Dental Assistants and Hygienists

 

Much like the physical therapy field, the need for dentistry is expected to grow dramatically over the next several years leading to a high demand for Dental Hygienists and Assistants. These two positions are vital to any successful dental practice, and represent the 12th and 14th-fastest growing occupations with growth rates of 36% each.

 

Veterinary Technologist and Technician

 

Not even economic worries and a tough job market can make Americans stop buying pets, so the need for professionals to diagnose and treat them will remain high for years to come. A 36% increase through 2018 equates to approximately 29,000 new jobs for Veterinary Technicians and Technologists per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

Medical Assistants

 

Not only the clinical, but also the administrative tasks performed by Medical Assistants are in high demand as health care facilities expand around the country. Government estimates show that graduates with degrees and certifications in this popular vocational career will enter an employment market that expands by 34% (that’s 165,000 new jobs) over the next seven years.

 

Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides

 

Another field with similar growth projections to physical therapy is occupational therapy. Helping patients return to work by rehabilitating them from mental or physical issues, Occupational Assistants and Aides are integral parts of an occupational therapy practice. Training for either of these occupations can be completed in just two years at an accredited vocational school, and will get you out into the market just in time to capitalize on a projected 30% growth in this field.

 

Aerobics Instructors and Physical Fitness Trainers

 

Becoming healthy and physically fit never goes out of style, so the need for Aerobics Instructors and Fitness trainers should only increase in the future. An estimated 77,000 new jobs will be created in this field by 2018, meaning that professionals interested in helping others achieve their fitness goals will see a 29% increase employment opportunities.

 

HVAC Installers and Mechanics

 

Mechanics and Installers for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) with be in great demand over the next decade, which is good news for graduates in this popular vocational field. By 2018, an estimated 86,000 new positions will be created for HVAC professionals who will be needed to staff companies that install and repair equipment in buildings throughout the U.S. With a growth rate approaching 28%, this occupation is expected to be the 32nd-fastest growing during the next several years.

 

Paralegal

 

If you’ve always dreamed of getting into the Legal profession, but becoming a lawyer isn’t in the cards for you, then becoming a Paralegal might not be a bad place to start. These vocationally-trained professionals assist attorneys with the day-to-day operation of their offices by performing a wide range of supporting tasks. Increased demand for Paralegals should create 74,000 new jobs (a 28% increase) in the next decade.

 

Radiation Therapists

 

The field of radiation oncology uses radiation to treat cancer, and the Radiation Therapist’s role in this is to assist the physician with fluoroscopy, X-rays or CT scans. Demand for this occupation is expected to increase by a 27% national average over the remainder of the decade.