We're Number 12! We're Number 12!

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics recently churned out some pretty important numbers: On its list of the 30 fastest-growing occupations of the coming decade, the job of manicurist came in 12th — somewhere behind computer engineers and growing occupational therapists and ahead of teachers, amusement park attendants and greenhouse managers. In its November 1995 report, the Department of Labor projects a whopping 69% rate of growth for our industry from 1994 through the year 2005. Not so for our brothers and sisters in the hairstyling field, for whom a 14% rate of growth is predicted (14% is the average for all occupations). What does this mean for you? For nail technicians, these figures should surely translate into job security. For salon owners, it most likely means the continuation of an old problem — how to find and recruit qualified personnel. So get the word out: Nails are in!