Some hiring sectors remain strong

WASHINGTON, April 7 (UPI) -- Job opportunities are on the upswing in several economic sectors, in spite of the downturn in the economy, various industries reported.

Some high tech companies are expanding, debt counseling jobs become more available during an economic slump, and hospitality opportunities are increasing, the Christian Science Monitor reported Monday.

"Not Wall Street, not housing, and not automotive, but there are many areas that are doing well, are recession-proof," John Challenger of Challenger, Gray and Christmas told the paper.

GreenPath Debt Solutions in Farmington Hills, Mich., is hiring 40 counselors before June and 20 more "every six to eight weeks," said Bill Lodge, director of human resources.

Green-oriented businesses, such as TVIG, a wind-power company in Chattanooga, Tenn., are hiring. TVIG is having trouble finding "engineers and professionals who want to take on that construction lifestyle," said company president Rick Ector.

And the federal government is also looking for folks.

One federal Web site lists 49,000 openings, the paper said.

Some federal agencies are offering hiring bonuses of $5,000, said Dennis Damp, author of "The Book of U.S. Government Jobs."

"It's a hidden job market," Damp said.