Attention job seekers and employment trainers:
Invest Buffalo Niagara has identified seven industries projected to have the largest number of job openings in the next few years.
The industries are advanced business services, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, cleantech, life sciences, logistics and tourism.
The regional development and marketing agency teamed up with the University at Buffalo Regional Institute to compile data about Western New York's workforce development.
Below is a breakdown of the industries, the jobs you can find within them, and what skills and certifications you need to excel in those positions. The data is provided by Invest Buffalo Niagara's 2017 Labor Market Assessment.
1. Advanced Business Services:
What it is: Advanced Business Services encapsulates a variety of jobs, including customer service reps, administrative assistants, software developers, and accountants
How many projected jobs: 1,850+ annually
Average Salary Range: $35,879 - $84,565
Specialized Skills Required: mathematics, negotiation, systems analysis & evaluation, clerical knowledge, computers & electronics knowledge
Top projected ABS job openings in Western New York through 2022: Customer service representatives, supervisors of office & administrative support workers, accountants and auditors
Credentials to gain a competitive edge: Customer Service and Sales Certification, Bank Teller Certificate, Professional Collection Specialist, Certified Records Manager, Certified Professional Public Adjusters, Certified Public Accountant
2. Advanced Manufacturing
What it is: Advanced Manufacturing describes skilled trades that use new technology to improve processes or products.
How many projected jobs: 1,100 annually
Average salary range: $35,680 - $78,528
Specialized skills required: production & processing, quality control analysis, mechanical, mathematics, engineering & technology
Top projected Advanced Manufacturing job openings in Western New York through 2022: Team assemblers, machinists, inspectors, sorters, mechanical engineers, welders, cutters, solderers, & brazers
Credentials to gain a competitive edge: Certified Quality Inspector, Certified Welder, Certified Machinist, Service Plumber Certification, Certified Production Technician
3. Agribusiness
What it is: Agribusiness is the business of agricultural production
How many projected jobs: 230 annually
Average salary range: $32,552 - $76,709
Specialized skills required: production & processing, coordination, mechanical, public safety & security, operations monitoring
Top projected Agribusiness job openings in Western New York through 2022: Packaging & filling machine operators & tenders, farm workers, laborers, industrial machinery mechanics, food batchmakers, stock clerks & order fillers
Credentials to gain a competitive edge: Pesticide Applicator/Technical Certification, Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety Credential, ServSafe Food Handler Certificate, Certified in Production and Inventory Management
4. Cleantech
What it is: products or processes that reduce negative environmental impacts
How many projected jobs: 1,675 annually
Average salary range: $36,772 - $80,161
Specialized skills required: troubleshooting, engineering & technology, design, mathematics, operations monitoring, quality control analysis
Top projected Cleantech job openings in Western New York through 2022: Customer service representatives, carpenters, tellers, mechanical engineers, stock clerks & order fillers, welders, cutters, solderers, stock & material movers
Credentials to gain a competitive edge: Customer Service Certification Program, HVAC Ready-to-Work Certification, Certified Industrial Carpenter, LEED AP Building Operations and Maintenance
5. Life Sciences
What it is: Sciences that involve the study of living organisms
How many projected jobs: 250 annually
Average salary range: $35,211 - $82,080
Specialized skills required: operation monitoring, quality control analysis, mechanical, computers & electronics, mathematics
Top projected Life Sciences job openings in Western New York through 2022: Team assemblers, mechanical engineers, managers, customer service representatives, medical scientists, machinists, inspectors
Credentials to gain a competitive edge: Certified Customer Experience Professional, Certified Weighing Technician, Certified Management Professional, Biomedical Electronics Technician, Clinical Research Professional
6. Logistics
What it is: developing and implementing efficient processes and practices for complex organizations
How many projected jobs: 930 annually
Average salary range: $38,922 - $90,112
Specialized skills required: negotiation, complex problem solving, transportation, time management, administration & management
Top projected Logistics job openings in Western New York through 2022: Stock clerks & order fillers, laborers, stock & material movers, sales representatives, customer service representatives, truck drivers, accountants & auditors
Credentials to gain a competitive edge: Certified in Production and Inventory Management Association for Operations Management, Certified Sales Professional, Certified Export Specialist, Commercial Driver's License, Medium-Heavy Truck Technician Certification, Supply Chain Professional Certification
7. Tourism
What it is: efforts to grow and sustain the region's tourism
How many projected jobs: 3,300 annually
Average salary range: $22,197 - $69,659
Specialized skills required: coordination, service orientation, sales & marketing, customer & personal service, social perceptiveness
Top projected Advanced Manufacturing job openings in Western New York through 2022: Waiters & waitresses, combined food preparation, counter attendants, cooks, bartenders, dishwashers, supervisors, operations managers, head chefs
Credentials to gain a competitive edge: ServSafe Food Handler Certificate, Certified Guest Services Professional, ServSafe Alcohol Certification, Certified Culinarian, Foodservice Management Professional Credential, Certified Hotel Administrator
