Target Occupations
Each year, during the Board's annual planning process, a target occupations list is developed using the most current labor market information and feedback from local employers in our nine-county region.   We use the target occupations list to identify for you those occupations that have a large number of job openings, higher than average wages, and the opportunity for a career.

Within the identified target occupations, this workforce development area "targets" certain occupations that meet additional standards set by the Texas Workforce Commission, such as having higher than average wages.

Below is the 2006-2007 Target Occupations list.  (Effective July 1, 2006):

 Return To Job Seeker Services


Accountants and Auditors
Auto Service Techs/Mechanics
Carpenters
Civil Engineering Technicians
Civil Engineers
Comp Software Eng, Application
Comp Software Eng, System Software
Computer Programmers
 Computer Support Specialists
Computer Systems Analysts
Computer/ATM/Office Machine Repairers
Dental Assistants
Dental Hygienists
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians
Electricians
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
Exec Secretaries/Admin Assists
Heating/Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Mechanics
Inspector/Tester/Sorter/Sampler
Licensed Practical/Voc Nurses
Loan Officers
Mechanical Engineers
Medical Secretaries
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
 Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
Pest Control Workers
Plumbers/Pipe fitters/Steamfitter
Registered Nurses
Sales Reps, Excluding Tech/Science Product
Sales Reps, Tech/Science Products
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education
Sheet Metal Workers
Surgical Technologists
Surveyors
Telecomm Line Install/Repair
Tile and Marble Setters
Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer
Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery Services
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

 


YOU CAN USE TARGETED OCCUPATION INFORMATION IN YOUR CAREER AND EDUCATIONAL PLANNING

It is hard to discover that after working on a degree or training you cannot get a job. Target occupation information can help you avoid this common pitfall. Using target occupation information you can learn:

  1. What are the fastest growing occupations in Texas and in your local region?
  2. Which occupations will be most in demand?
  3. Which occupations pay the most money?
  4. How much education or training do I need?
  5. What occupations will offer the greatest number job openings?
  6. Who are the largest employers in my area?
  7. What does this job involve?
  8. What does the occupation I'm interested in pay?
  9. What about advancement possibilities?

LEARN MORE ABOUT TARGETED OCCUPATIONS

The following resources can help you answer the above questions:

  • "Texas Cares" computer software: this program has information on the above careers and the training facilities that can prepare you for these occupations. This computer program can be found on the public computers in our Workforce Centers.
  • Workforce Center information notebook on target occupations: you can ask for this book at the front desk. Other career information books may be found in our Career Resource Library.

More Links for Career Planning and Occupational Trends