Job Outlook for Latinos

By: Alejandra Okie

What will it take for the job outlook for Latinos to improve?

In April 2011, the unemployment rate for Latinos was 11.8 percent, compared to 9 percent for the general population (NCLR).

A recent poll found that one out of three working Latinos, more than any other group, felt insecure in their jobs. And, one in three had lost their health insurance or other benefits. The poll also found that Latinos were the most likely to be underemployed– looking for more work or better jobs (Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation-Harvard University).

Latino workers took a big hit during the “Great Recession” that ended in June of 2009. In part because they are overrepresented in industries that had higher job losses, including construction.

Latinos are more likely than other groups to have low-wage jobs, including retail sales and cleaning (see Top Seven Occupations for Latinos below). Low paying jobs usually don’t offer health insurance and other benefits and some, including in agriculture and construction, can be dangerous and can lead to accidents or even death (NCLR).

For Latinos to have better job security and find better opportunities, access to the following is critical:

1.    Job training
2.    Basic adult education (literacy, English as a Second Language, GED), and
3.    Higher education

Key higher paying occupations for Latinos in the future include:

1.    Education and health sectors. Latinos are not well represented in these fields so there is an opportunity to break ground.
2.    Specialized professions and trades. Latinos are finding success in specialized fields, including working as chefs. Green energy jobs are a promising option.
3.    Small business ownership. For many Latinos, entrepreneurship runs in their blood. Small business owners can make it with local support, technical assistance and affordable financing.
4.    Technology sector. This growing sector offers great potential for Latinos.
5.    Bilingual jobs. With the growth in the Spanish-speaking population, individuals who are fully bilingual are likely to make good candidates in most professions.

Whether you want to find a better job, get job training, go back to school, or need help setting up a small business, you can find help and resources online and make your dream a reality:

Find a job | Encuentra trabajo
Job training | Capacitación laboral (texto en inglés)
Get a GED | Cómo obtener un GED
Open a small business | Abre un negocio
Video: Watch the story of a restaurant owner | Vídeo:  Ve la historia de un pequeño empresario
Learn about unemployment | Aprende sobre el desempleo
Find college scholarships for Latino students | Encuentra becas para estudiantes latinos
Learn about the Dream Act | Infórmate sobre la propuesta de ley Dream Act

Photo: PequenaSuricata