ROAD MAP TO AREA JOBS; SURVEY TRACKS OCCUPATIONS WITH MOST GROWTH POTENTIAL.

Byline: David Greenberg Daily News Staff Writer

Students, those seeking new careers and welfare-to-work clients alike can scout the employment opportunities for 75 different occupations tucked into the most extensive labor market survey yet released by the Ventura County.

The Workforce Development Division's 1999 Occupational Outlook also helps employers and job trainers determine which companies offer competitive wages and benefits, as well as general trends toward education and experience companies require for job seekers.

``This is the single best document that provides us with timely and accurate occupational information (in the county),'' said Philip Bohan, WDD's planning manager. ``The report provides us with a much clearer and timely picture of specific information in an occupation.''

The survey offers salary ranges for nonunion and union employees - when at least 20 percent of the company workforce is unionized - as well as information on benefits.

It contains job growth figures, the amount of training and education needed for a position and where to get it, and employment recruitment methods.

The five fastest-growing occupations, using growth projects from 1995 through 2002, are:

Machinists, expected to jump from 780 to 1,220 jobs for a 56 percent increase. Hourly wages range from $5 to $10.58 an hour for a new hire with no experience, $7 to $16.35 for a new hire with experience, and $10 to $24.04 for at least three years' experience at one company.

Computer engineers, from 540 to 810 jobs, or an increase of 50 percent; $10.55 to $18.75 with no experience, $11.19 to $25 for a new hire with experience, and $14.08 to $33.56 for three years with a company.

Systems analysts, from 920 to 1,340 positions, or 46 percent. Wage scales are not known.

Medical assistants, from 620 to 890 jobs, or 44 percent; $7 to $10 with no experience, $7.50 to $12 for a new hire with experience, and $9 to $14 with three or more years' experience.

Adjustment clerks, from 860 to 1,230 jobs, or 43 percent. Pay scales are not known.

The job growth figures for systems analysts and adjustment clerks are based on statewide numbers, said Edna Lindstrom, the WDD's California Cooperative Occupational Information System coordinator. This spring, the occupations could be surveyed for the first time, and would be included in the Outlook 2000 report, she said.

Bakers, dental assistants, dental hygienists, special education teachers and data processing repair technicians follow as the fastest-growing occupations.

With welfare reform in full swing - recipients must find a job or enroll in school or job training within two years - officials said the survey is more important than ever.

``It's really important when you're working with welfare clients to know where the jobs will be in the future and something about those jobs,'' said Brendan Kelly, project coordinator for the state Employment Development Department, which oversees the project.

The overall job growth rate countywide is 2.4 percent annually, he said.

The top five projected absolute growth occupations from 1995 through 2002 are:

Retail positions, expected to increase from 8,940 to 10,370 positions, or 1,430 jobs. Hourly wages are from $5.75 to $8 with no prior experience, $5.75 to $9 for a new hire with experience, and $6.05 to $10 for someone with at least three years' experience with the same company.

Cashiers, from 5,860 to 7,210 jobs; $5 to $7.20 with no experience, $5 to $9 for a new hire with experience, and $6 to $13.10 for three years with a firm.

General managers and top executives, from 6,760 to 7,990 jobs; or 1,230 positions; $11.51 to $43.15 for a new hire with experience, and $15.69 to $50.35 with at least three years with a company.

Restaurant wait staff, from 3,410 to 4,410 jobs; wages with tips included are $5.75 to $15.75 with no experience, $5.75 to $22.42 for a new hire with experience, and $5.75 to $25.75 with at least three years at the same establishment.

Office clerks, from 7,420 to 8,180, or 760 jobs; $6 to $8 with no experience; $6 to $12 for a new hire with experience; and $7 to $14 with three years' experience at the same firm.

Secretaries, assemblers, secondary school teachers, receptionists and registered nurses follow as occupations with the most anticipated positions available.

The survey was funded with $56,000 from the EDD and $25,000 from the WDD.

EDD began the survey in 1986, but it did not include Ventura County until a decade later, when the 1997 report charted the status of 25 occupations selected by WDD. Another 25 were added to last year's report and 25 more for the 1999 version.

Some 600 employers responded to the surveys for this report. WDD officials need at least 15 complete surveys for each occupation to ensure accuracy.

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