Jamie Cummings, general manager of Apollo Staffing in Covington, told Cov News that many companies in the state are looking for professionals with knowledge in the skilled trades for certain industrial positions, including those who have had welding and electrical training.

Martha King, chief executive officer of Associated Staffing, told the news agency that her firm is also seeing a gap when it comes to the skilled trades.

"If we’re talking about mechanical and industrial work, there are more skilled jobs than skilled workers," King stressed.

State officials are now hoping to get more job seekers back to school with an initiative that offers financial help for certain career college training courses. The state's Hope Program is available to residents looking to attend any of the state's 26 technical colleges, and will cover up to 90 percent of the standard tuition for a technical or diploma certificate.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that professionals with an advanced postsecondary degree have the potential to earn $500 more per week than those with a high school diploma or less. 

The Journal Gazette reports that Metal Technologies Auburn will invest $35 million in a building expansion and new equipment with plans to hire 42 new workers with a variety of skills ranging from entry-level to those with knowledge of skilled trades.

The company said that most of the new jobs will be added once it installs a melting furnace at the foundry as part of the expansion, which is expected to be completed in 2013. Company officials said wages for the new positions will average $35,700 per year.

Metal Technologies, which currently employs more than 200 workers, makes iron castings for the construction, automotive and appliance industry. The company said it is expanding because many customers recently have been placing more orders further into the future than in past years.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for welding, soldering and brazing workers are expected to be good through the end of the decade, especially for those who have completed a welding training postsecondary program.

Lloyd Halvorson, director of the Peace Training Academy in Devils Lake, told the Grand Fork Herald that the demand for criminal justice-related jobs include not only an increase in the state's population, but is also due to a number of positions becoming available by the growing number of retiring law enforcement personnel.

"The growth out west is unprecedented," Halvorson told the news agency. "Some of the agencies out west are doubling or tripling in size in the last three years. The number one reason over the past decade is that people are not staying in law enforcement as long as they once did."

Halvorson said that if law enforcement officials are willing to relocate to where there is the largest demand for officers, they should have no problem finding a job.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for police officers are expected to grow by 9 percent through the end of the decade.

The company, which is owned by UnitedHealth Group, said that it expected to hire 170 new workers over the next 18 months,  in addition to the nearly 450 new positions that have been or still need to be filled at its Overland Park operations.

Larry C. Renfro, executive vice president of UnitedHealth Group, said the company is in need of a variety of skills.

"This is our flagship operation, featuring the latest technology and capable of processing more than 100,000 mail service prescriptions per day, about double what we currently handle at our Overland Park facility," Renfro stated. "We are adding employees in virtually every position from entry level to highly experienced, from shipper to pharmacist."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to increase by 31 percent through 2018 with prospects especially good for those who have completed an advanced training program.

The center said the free massages will be performed by a professional with massage therapy training who is licensed in the state of Arizona. Massage therapy has been proven to also help alleviate a number of physical ailments, including back and neck pain.

Preferred Pain said that potential clients who experience lower back pain or whiplash should seek treatment immediately. The clinic also is offering a 24-hour guarantee that customers will be able to make an appointment and start their rehabilitation, which often includes massage therapy, within one business day.

According to the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders, seven out of every 10 people will endure some type of back pain at some time in their lives.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment opportunities for those who have completed massage therapy training are expected to grow faster that the average of most other occupations, by 19 percent, through the end of the decade.

Prime Therapeutics said it will lease a new facility in Eagan, a move that is expected to create approximately 300 information technology and business analyst jobs, according to the Pioneer Press.

The company, which is owned by 12 Blue Cross Blue Shield national plans, also has eight other locations across the U.S. Its services include claims processing, formulary management, pharmacy network management and mail service.

Eric Elliot, chief executive officer of Prime Therapeutics, told the news agency that the company was looking to build additional offices in other cities, but chose to expand in Eagan due to its established success in the city.

"We decided we're better off going to a place where we have a history of attracting high-quality people," Elliot added.

Company officials said they plan to move into the new facility on Buffet Way by the middle of 2012.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for medical records and health information technicians are expected to grow by 20 percent through the end of the decade.

Bloomberg News reports that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's general economic index rose to 0.6 last month, which indicates expansion among companies in New York, northern New Jersey and Connecticut.

A similar report from the Federal Reserve of Philadelphia also found that manufacturing jobs increased more than economists were expecting, sending the Dow Jones industrial average up more than 83 points in one day following three days of steady losses.

Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Harris Bank, told The Associated Press that the increase in the market indicates that investors are not as focused on global economic weakness, but instead are turning their attention toward positive signs from the U.S.

"We're not completely insulated from Europe, but trouble there doesn't necessary spell problems for us," Albin told the news agency.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, production workers in the machinery manufacturing industry are some of the most highly skilled and best paid in the field and increasingly need training beyond high school.
 

The global outsourcing company said it has 160 immediate openings for these specialty pharmacy positions, with more positions expected to open up next year. APAC said the jobs will consist of normal business weekday hours with opportunities for increased work and overtime. The pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will be handling and distributing prescriptions for the undisclosed pharmacy.

Company officials said Tucson is the ideal location for the new business enterprise and praised the area for its favorable business climate and high caliber of job candidates. APAC operates call centers across the U.S.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for pharmacy technicians and aides, who help licensed pharmacists prepare medications, are expected to be good, especially for those with advanced training. Job openings for pharmacy technicians are expected to grow by 31 percent through 2018.
 

SPi Healthcare said the new site will open at the end of December and will help support recent growth in the Southeast region of the state. The company said it expects to create 75 new jobs in the Greensboro area by the end of 2013.

The organization will offer revenue cycle management services and business process outsourcing to healthcare facilities and providers that are looking to tighten their margin of declining revenues through reimbursement.

John O'Donnell, president and chief executive officer of SPi, said health information management is an emerging field.

"We are excited to be part of the Greensboro community where we know the work ethic is strong and the business climate is positive," O'Donnell added. "This enables us to have a larger presence in the Southeast, expand our national footprint, and position us for a great opportunity for further growth."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for medical records and health information technicians are expected to grow by 20 percent through the end of the decade. 

The research award is given to those with a background in massage therapy training who show promise to advance the industry through the application of massage and its role in healthcare delivery. The community service grant gives up to $5,000 to those who seek to provide massage therapy to underserved populations.

This year's winner of the research grant was Dr. Katarina Wiest of CODA Incorporated in Portland, Oregon. She was given just under $30,000 for a study that will asses the benefits of Swedish massage on chronic pain suffers.

Those who received community service grants included Tina Allen of The Liddle Kidz Foundation in Vancouver, Washington, who was given $5,00 for her role in advancing pediatric massage therapy training in Thailand, Vietnam and Japan. Texas resident Tiesha James of the Busy Bee Wellness Center was granted $5,000 for her work in using massage to lower stress in women at high risk of abuse and hypertension.

MFT is currently accepting applications for next year's grant cycle.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for massage therapists are expected to grow by 19 percent through 2018.