Iris St. Meran explains why it's a good thing for those in Central New York who want work in this field.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The future looks bright for occupational therapy assistants as the field is expected to be in high demand in the coming years, and to prepare, Bryant and Stratton College created a new program at its Syracuse campus.

"Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work with people that have some sort of trauma in their lives, some sort of disease, disability, impairment and helping them to do the things they need to be able to do and the things they want to be able to do," said Dr. John Patro, who conducts lab demonstrations for the program at Bryant and Stratton.

Those things can include just being able to dress or cook for yourself. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for occupational therapy assistants to grow 41 percent by 2022. Bryant and Stratton just created this major, enrolling its first class in May at its Syracuse campus.

"I'm very passionate about helping people and this will enable me to help people from all ages from infancy to all the way up to older adults that wish to stay in their home and be able to be independent," said Jennifer Carlsen, a student.

This particular program is the only one of its kind in Central New York. Recruiters say they look forward to placing graduates in local facilities.

"You look at the programs where they are located in the state, it's either Buffalo or Albany. So anywhere really in the Central New York region hasn't had candidates that are local. Traditionally with a two-year program, you're going to get local candidates," said Brian Castle, Rehab Resources' talent acquisition director.

Now for the first time in the occupational therapy world there's an option for locals to learn, live and work in Central New York.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is 20 months. The first class will graduate with an Associate Degree in December 2016. The College has applied for Accreditation in this program. Patro expects to have full accreditation by August of 2016.