The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the region can be seen in nearly every walk of life, which is evident in the local job market.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Center for Workforce Information and Analysis recently released data, per workforce investment area, detailing growing industries, growing occupations, major job types and more.
The North Central Workforce Investment area covers McKean, Elk, Cameron, Potter, Clearfield and Jefferson counties.
While the region is perhaps best known for manufacturing, that sector has been adversely impacted by the pandemic. The data shows that medical fields are the current growth areas in the region.
From November 2019 to November 2020, the general medical and surgical hospitals industry showed a volume change of plus 46, the largest in the region. The second largest change was for home health care services, with change of plus 16, followed by administration of veterans affairs at plus 10.
Under growing occupations, licensed practical and vocational nurses had a volume change of plus 21; laborers, freight, stock and material movers saw an increase of 20; nursing assistants, plus 17; and home health aides, plus 14.
As for areas with the most available job postings, Bradford and Clearfield were tied with a volume change of plus 43, closely followed by Coudersport with plus 42. DuBois, however, saw the biggest decrease in volume, at minus 64.
The data also showed the top employers with job postings in the region, with UPMC leading the pack with a volume change of plus 44, followed by CNB with plus 39; and Aveanna at plus 31.