Detroit was one of the most affected areas during the recession in the beginning, helping to make Michigan the state with the highest unemployment rate. However, CNN reports that the area is now facing a comeback that is giving hope to those in the automotive industry.

Some of the strides the city has made recently include General Motors (GM) filing for one of the biggest public stock offerings in the nation”s history and Chrysler hiring on new workers. Some analysts have called Detroit a bright spot in the economy, but many recognize there is still a long way to go in terms of restoring the market to what it was prior to the recession.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the sector is expected to see a 5 percent growth in job opportunities through 2018.

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. 

According to the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, the minimum education now required for an assembly-line job at a car manufacturing plant is a two-year college degree.

Economics professor Charles Ballard told the Detroit Free Press that Michigan needs to invest in the education of its future skill trades workforce.

"If there's any lesson that we should take away, it's that we need to ramp up the skills of our workforce," Ballard told the news agency. "All the richest states have one thing in common: They have a high proportion of college degrees."

Michigan performs below average when it comes to producing college graduates.

Economists are forecasting that Michigan will end this year with the first positive net increase in jobs since 2000 and predict even more job growth over the next two years.

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.

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.

According to the report by the Great American Group, auto sales in the U.S. jumped 7 percent in October, with Chrysler and Hyundai leading the way.

Mike Marchlik, national sales and marketing director for the Great American Group, told the International Business Times that the increase in car sales across the country is another encouraging sign for the auto industry.

"We've seen this trend all year," Marchlik told the news agency. "Because if you look at the year-over-year comparison, it has to go up at this point. The previous year's numbers are really beat up. The denominator was really low. Part of the reason for recovery is the fact that this past year was really low."

Overall, more than 1 million new cars were sold during October 2011, helping other industries, including the metal stamping market and tire sales, report record revenues as well.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports job opportunities for auto service technicians and mechanics are best for those who have completed formal automotive technician training.
 

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.