Recession Proof Jobs, Medical Field Booming

More people are looking at changing jobs to avoid being laid off during this economic downturn. Many jobs in the medical field are considered “recession proof.” One of the places people are turning to is the National EMS Academy, trying to become paramedics. They used to only see kids just out of high school, but now people from all age groups are looking to switch careers.

Many companies are calling it an economic emergency and they’re cutting back. Acadian Ambulance and their National EMS Academy haven’t been hurt by the economy at all. In fact, they’re seeing an increase in the number of people who want to come to work. Porter Taylor with Acadian Ambulance says, “Actually, the thing that has really come up and surprised us is we’re seeing a more senior person with more field experience or more experience in the general workforce.”

Traditionally, the EMS Academy has seen young students just out of high school, but now with the weakening economy, Acadian is seeing applicants as old as 50 years old. “It’s just a lot of people want to change career and they’re looking for a more stable work environment and the medical field has always been a stable environment.”

Eric Meyers chose to become a paramedic because it’s a rewarding job. He also knows he has job security. “We always have a job. Everybody’s going to need EMS at one time or another. Everybody’s going to always need it.” Just about everybody who graduates here will have a job. “We have not had a layoff, not in my tenure, and I’ve been here almost 22 years.

It’s the job security that many people are looking for and the EMS Academy is expecting more people to look to them for training as the economic uncertainty continues. And get this, the folks at Acadian Ambulance say they’re adding about 100 jobs a year, and that’s the minimum. They don’t expect they’ll trim their workforce anytime soon.