Arizona Nursing Jobs See Significant Growth

Arizona nursing jobs once again outperformed every other industry in terms of employment last month.

During October, Arizona's unemployment rate dropped from 9.1 percent to 9 percent, which is on par with the national rate we saw that month. The state's rate has decreased for the last three months in a row.

Arizona employed a total of 2,420,200 workers during October, which is a slight drop from 2,420,800 workers during September, but a 1.9 percent increase from last year.

The education and health services industry saw the biggest employment growth over the month and year, which is great news for anyone considering the nursing jobs Arizona has to offer among their future career plans.

The industry employed a total of 365,300 workers during October, which is an addition of 2,300 workers over the month, and a 4.9 percent increase over the year.

Here's a look at how each industry fared over the month and year:

• Education and health services: +2,300
• Construction: +1,400
• Government +300
• Mining and logging: +200
• Manufacturing: +100
• Information: No change
• Financial activities: -500
• Other services: -500
• Trade, transportation, and utilities: -1,300
• Professional and business services: -1,300
• Leisure and hospitality: -1,300

Here's a look at how each industry fared over the year:

• Education and health services: +4.9 percent
• Leisure and hospitality: +4.2 percent
• Construction: +4.1 percent 
• Manufacturing: +3.3 percent
• Mining and logging: +2.8 percent
• Information: +2.5 percent
• Trade, transportation, and utilities: +1.4 percent
• Government: +1 percent
• Financial activities: +.2 percent
• Professional and business services: -.2 percent
• Other services: -3.6 percent

Occupational Therapy Jobs Arizona Benefit from Increasing Mental Health Budget

While those with occupational therapy jobs Arizona (http://rehabjob.abrazohealth.com) are seeing more job security as the state's mental health budget increases, those in other states aren't so lucky.

"State Mental Health Cuts: The Continuing Crisis," a new report from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, found that states have cut a total of $1.6 billion from mental health funding between 2009 and 2012.

However, Arizona is one of only 22 states that saw their mental health budgets grow over the last few years, while 28 states saw declining budgets. Arizona's budget increased by 5.6 percent to $520.5 million, with only 11 other states reporting larger increases.

The 10 states that saw the largest mental health care cuts between 2009 and 2012 are:

1. South Carolina - 39.3 percent
2. Alabama - 36 percent
3. Alaska - 32.6 percent
4. Illinois - 31.7 percent
5. Nevada - 28.1 percent
6. District of Columbia - 23.9 percent
7. California - 21.2 percent
8. Idaho - 17.9 percent
9. Kansas - 12.4 percent
10. Mississippi - 10.4 percent

"The mental health crisis is not just about state budget cuts," NAMI Executive Director Mike Fitzpatrick, said in a statement. "People with life-threatening mental illness are being abandoned. The more that mental health care is provided through Medicaid, the greater the risk exists that uninsured or underinsured individuals won't receive the help they need. It is important to meet the needs of Medicaid enrollees, but not at the expense of uninsured or underinsured individuals living with serious mental illness."

Sales Jobs in Phoenix with Top Insurance Company

Those looking for sales jobs in Phoenix may soon have the opportunity to work with an up-and-coming insurance company.

Esurance recently announced its plans to hire about 30 new sales agents, sales managers, and trainers in Phoenix. The company already held two on-site career fairs for these positions, but interested candidates can still apply online.

Esurance provides personal auto insurance direct to customers online and through sales agents. The company is dedicated to constantly improving the way people shop for, buy, and manage their auto insurance.

Average employees earn about $50,000 per year, including competitive base pay and the opportunity for incentive bonuses. Top performers can earn up to $75,000 per year. Employees are able to participate in paid training, an insurance licensing program, and ongoing training to help reach their sales goals. They also receive a 401(k), full benefits, and flexible scheduling options.

Candidates should have: at least one year of successful sales or customer service experience, experience using a phone in a sales center environment, and previous experience working in the insurance industry or a related industry.

Esurance is now the third-largest provider of auto insurance quotes online. The company currently employs about 1,7000 people in 14 different offices throughout the nation. Esurance is part of Allstate, the largest publicly-held personal insurance company in the U.S.

Technology Jobs Tempe Go Solar

Those looking for technology jobs Tempe may want to consider a position in the solar industry.

The "National Solar Jobs Census 2011: A Review of the U.S. Solar Workforce," a new report from The Solar foundation, found that solar industry hiring is on the rise as hundreds of thousands of Americans currently work in the industry.

The report ranked Arizona third in terms of solar industry employment, as the state currently has about 4,786 solar-related jobs. Only California and Colorado have more solar industry jobs than Arizona.

"Arizona continues its ascension as a national and global leader in the solar industry," Gov. Jan Brewer said in a statement. "Driven by its abundant sunshine, highly-trained workforce and renewable-energy tax credits, Arizona is the place to be when it comes to solar energy location and expansion. This report is further evidence that Arizona is on the right track when it comes to fostering job growth in the solar industry."

Since Arizona's Renewable Energy Tax Incentive Program became effective in 2010, nine renewable energy companies have located or expanded operations in the state, creating more than 2,100 jobs and injecting more than $1 billion into the local economy.

There are currently three large-scale renewable energy utility projects under construction in Arizona that will result in a thousands of new jobs and a total investment of more than $2.7 billion. Those projects include: Abengoa Solar, Inc.; Agua Caliente; and Mesquite Solar 1 LLC.

Nationwide, there are currently more than 17,198 solar employment sites that are responsible for 100,237 jobs throughout all 50 states. Over the next year, employers plan to increase hiring in the solar industry by 24 percent, creating 24,000 new jobs.

"The solar industry has grown into a major economic force with more than 100,000 employees in the United States," Andrea Luecke, executive director of The Solar Foundation, said. "We expect even greater growth in the foreseeable future. But policymakers, workforce training providers, and the industry must work together to continue creating good jobs for skilled workers."

Dallas Restaurant Jobs Could Benefit from New Campaign

A national organization is pushing the importance of the restaurant industry, a move that may create many Dallas restaurant jobs (Click here) and positions throughout the country.

The National Restaurant Association recently unveiled the America Works Here campaign in an effort to draw attention to the nation's restaurant industry, which is the second-largest private-sector employer and an important player when it comes to economic growth.

The campaign will highlight a number of important details about the restaurant industry, including everything from how to learn job skills appropriate for the industry, to how to own a restaurant, to the positive impact that restaurants can have in their communities.

"Everyone can agree that America's restaurants play an important role in people's lives, whether as a place to celebrate a special occasion, a spot to grab an early morning cup of coffee, or a place to meet with colleagues over a business lunch or dinner," the NRA notes.

"The 'America Works Here' slogan highlights not just the fact that nearly half of all Americans have worked in the industry, but that the nation's nearly 1 million restaurants are the place where business deals are made, where people can rise from the dishroom to the board room, and where organizations go for the philanthropic support that helps them do great work in local communities across the country," the association adds.

Here are some interesting facts about the restaurant industry:

• Restaurant sales have almost doubled over the last 11 years, reaching $604.2 billion during 2011, nearly 4 percent of the nation's GDP.     
• With 12.8 million employees, almost one in 10 Americans work in the restaurant industry.
• A number of proposed policies could add another 1.3 million jobs to the industry over the next 10 years. 
• Almost half of all adults have worked in the restaurant industry and more than one in four had their first job experience in the industry.
• 80 percent of restaurant owners say their first job was an entry-level position in the restaurant industry.
• 94 percent of restaurant employees think the industry is a good place for your first job and to learn basic working skills.
• 88 percent of employees think restaurants provide the opportunity to start at the bottom and work your way up to management.
• 81 percent of employees think people of all backgrounds and experience levels can open their own restaurant.
• 46 percent of employees would like to eventually own a restaurant.

Nursing Jobs in Arizona Help Support Local Economy

Those with nursing jobs in Arizona (http://azjobs.cancercenter.com) play a significant role in supporting the local economy.

After climbing for the previous two months, Arizona's unemployment rate dropped from 9.4 percent to 9.3 percent during August. Despite that decrease, however, the state's unemployment rate was still higher than the national average at the time of 9.1 percent.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona employed a total of 2,408,400 workers during August, which is up from 2,393,000 workers during July and a 1.7 percent increase from last year.

The healthcare industry continues to be a strong point for the local and national economy. Arizona's education and health services industry employed 360,400 workers during August, and although that number is a slight decrease from the previous month, it's a 4.6 percent increase from last year.

The national healthcare industry added a total of 43,800 jobs between August and September, with every sector except nursing care facilities seeing an influx of workers.

Here's a look at how the sectors of the national healthcare industry fared during September:

• Ambulatory healthcare services - +26,000 jobs
• Offices of physicians - +12,200 jobs
• Outpatient care centers - +3,800 jobs
• Home healthcare services - +5,000 jobs
• Hospitals - +13,300 jobs
• Nursing and residential care facilities - +4,500 jobs
• Nursing care facilities - +/- 0 jobs

Phoenix Sales Jobs See Significant Yearly Growth

Phoenix sales jobs (Click here) and sales jobs throughout the nation saw little movement last month as sales remained virtually unchanged, but the industry continues to flourish when compared to last year.

According to a recent report from the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales increased by .1 percent during July and by 6 percent over the last year. This shows that consumers are still hesitant to spend money, but are becoming more confident over time.

"Consumer spending in August was tempered by a continued lack of confidence in the strength of our economy," Matthew Shay, president and CEO of NRF, said in a statement. "Having carried the brunt of the economic recovery so far, consumers may be waiting for good news in terms of employment and market stability, cautiously spending on things they need and thinking twice about things they want."

A separate report from the U.S. Department of Commerce found that total retail sales - including such items as gas, automobiles, and restaurants - increased by .1 percent in July and by 9 percent over the year.

The following types of stores saw sales growth over the month:

• Sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores - +2.4 percent
• Electronic and appliance stores - +.5 percent
• Health and personal care stores - +.2 percent
• Building material and supplies stores - +.2 percent

"August retail sales mirror August employment figures – zero growth," said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. "Consumer spending has stalled, and it will be important for consumers to see positive changes in the economic outlook going into the fourth quarter. While we're not expecting a complete pull back in spending, the outlook remains modest in terms of growth."