By MATT LINDSEY

Healthcare and positions at area colleges are the fastest growing job fields in St. Lawrence County, but the overall number of high-paying jobs in the area has decreased in recent years, including a 52.9 percent drop in manufacturing jobs.

Although the unemployment percent has been dropping in the county – 6.5 percent in August compared to 9.3 percent nearly 18 months ago in February -- the jobs available are lower paying than jobs that left the area five or six years ago, according to Larry Fetcie, employment and training counselor at the One Stop Career Center. The center, located in the St. Lawrence County human services building at 80 State Highway 310, Canton, partners with other organizations to help put people to work or improve their current employment situation.

“The highest unemployment seems to be the Bronx and us (St. Lawrence County) but it seems to be getting better than last year,” said Fetcie.

He says the number of people looking for work is less than five years ago, but the drop has leveled off during the past year.

“Compared to last year it’s about the same, maybe a tick lower,” he said.

“The worst that I can remember was around 2009…2010,” he said. “We had the closure of so many businesses like GM and Reynolds…stores all across the county…manufacturers…local mines…layoffs at Alcoa.”

Manufacturing, Mining Jobs Lost

Overall, St. Lawrence County gained 13 people from the last census, with total population standing at 111,944 in 2010, compared to 111,931 people in 2000. However, the number of people working dropped 7 percent from 37,424 in 2010 to 34,504 as of the first quarter of 2015, according to the Department of Labor (DOL).

Manufacturing and mining, quarrying, oil and gas extractions jobs saw the largest decline, according to the DOL.

There were 5,142 manufacturing jobs reported in 2000. By 2015, the number of those positions had been more than cut in half to 2,419, a drop of 52.9 percent.

Mining and quarrying jobs fell from 366 in 2000 to just 41 people working in that profession this year. That is an 89 percent decline.

Employment information on the number of people working in each job sector is based on quarterly reports to the DOL from employers covered under New York State’s unemployment insurance law.

Increases in Healthcare, at Colleges

Fetcie said the healthcare field is still fastest growing job field in St. Lawrence County with nursing and medical assistants being the most sought after.

Department of Labor figures show that health and social assistance jobs in St. Lawrence County rose from 4,528 to 5,619 over the past 15 years.

BOCES, with whom the center is a partner, offers a medical assistant program that people can complete in five classes and be able to work in hospitals or doctor offices taking vitals, doing office work and other entry-level tasks.

Educational service jobs on local college campuses increased by about 25 percent from 1,552 in 2000 to 2,079 this year. Those figures include colleges and universities but do not include public elementary, middle and high schools, the DOL said.

The increase in educational employees at colleges could be tied to increased offerings at SUNY Canton and near record-setting numbers of enrollment at the four area colleges.

SUNY Canton for example has increased its course offerings in recent years and set enrollment records from 2008 to 2010. SUNY Canton enrollment in 2000 was 2,126 and increased to 3,250 this year. That is a 65 percent growth over 15 years.

Fetcie said he has seen an increase in teachers and other school employees laid off seeking work through the center and often times looking to change career paths.

He said that this time of year they expect to see an increase in people coming in looking for work. Seasonal and constructions workers will soon be out of work with cold weather upon us.

Anyone on unemployment is required to meet with a labor representative to assist with their job search.

“We don’t actually have jobs but we make referrals to places like SUNY Canton or BOCES,” Fetcie said.

The center gives anyone coming into their office an assessment test to see where their skills are and attempt to place them with a company or organization that would ideally be a good fit. Other times people are looking to learn new skills and the center helps by providing opportunities for job training.

“We typically help them develop or improve their resume,” he said. “The biggest thing of late is helping people who are struggling with online applications.”

The center works with veterans, disabled, youth and senior organizations to help place people who may have a more difficult time finding employment.

St. Lawrence County Veteran Services, St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau, St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging, St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services, BOCES, Adult Career & Continuing Educational Services and the Department of Labor are all partners of the center.

The center receives federal funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) which is distributed through the state. The WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

The One Stop Career Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more info contact 386-3276 or visit www.slconestop.com/.