San Antonio Construction Jobs, Others Remain Stable

The local economy is starting to look up. More industries are seeing employment growth from last year and the majority of sectors are either remaining relatively stable, such as San Antonio construction jobs, or adding employees.

During November, the unemployment rate throughout Texas increased to 8.2 percent after remaining at 8.1 percent for two months in a row. However, that rate is still lower than the national average of 9.8 percent. The San Antonio area had a rate of 7.3 percent during October.

The San Antonio-New Braunfels area employed a total of 840,000 people during November, which is up from 838,500 workers during October and a .8 percent increase from last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Employment in the trade, transportation, and utilities industry grew the most over the month, adding 1,800 jobs for a total of 146,900 workers. That was followed by the education and health services industry, which added 700 jobs for a total of 125,500 employees.

Only two other industries added jobs during November. The information industry added 100 jobs for a total of 18,000 workers and the other services industry added 200 jobs for a total of 30,600 employees.

Employment in the mining and logging and manufacturing industries remained even over the month with 3,700 jobs and 41,700 jobs, respectively.

Seven industries experienced an over-the-year increase in employment, including:

• Mining and logging by 12.1 percent
• Professional and business services by 2.4 percent
• Financial activities by 1.2 percent
• Government by 1.1 percent
• Education and health services by 1 percent
• Trade, transportation, and utilities by .8 percent
• Leisure and hospitality by .2 percent

When it comes to employment losses, four industries experienced a yearly decrease, with the information industry seeing the biggest drop of 5.3 percent. On a monthly basis, most industries remained relatively stable, with even hard-hit industries such as construction losing few jobs.

Training for Funeral Home Jobs in Dallas

Do you know how to prepare for funeral home jobs in Dallas?

The main goal of a funeral director is to comfort family and friends of the deceased by providing appropriate services. This may include removing the deceased to a mortuary, preparing the remains, performing a ceremony that honors the deceased, and addressing the spiritual needs of family.

Most aspiring funeral directors take two to four years of post-secondary education. In order to gain this education, students can take a specialized funeral director program or obtain an associate's or bachelor's degree in mortuary science, according to Education-Portal.com.

An associate's degree in mortuary science will teach students the skills needed to begin working as a funeral director. During this time, students learn about the grieving process and take two practicums in funeral rites and embalming.

Students earning an associate's degree can expect to take courses in: human anatomy, mortuary law, microbiology in mortuary, chemistry, counseling, and merchandising. They can then perform
Dallas work in a funeral home or can go on to obtain a bachelor's degree.

A bachelor's degree in mortuary science will prepare students who want to become licensed. In addition to the basic skills learned through an associate degree program, a bachelor's degree program will teach students about the psychology of death and grief counseling.

Students earning a bachelor's degree can expect to take courses in: the history of mortuary science, mortuary management, small business management, business law, embalming, restorative modeling, chemistry, microbiology, presentation, and cosmetics.

Aside from basic education, many students choose to participate in an apprenticeship program, during which time they work under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director. These programs last anywhere from one to three years.

Beyond educational quotas, each state sets its own licensing requirements for funeral directors, and credentials are often recognized between states. Basic licensing requirements include applicants to have at least two years of formal education, be 21-years old, and undergo a one-year apprenticeship program.

Some states require funeral directors to obtain a separate license for embalming and all states require funeral directors to undergo continuing education. You also may have to participate in Texas criminal background checks.

Check out your local Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers for more information.