I-TEAM: Local business owners feel the impact of job vacancies

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – ‘Tis the season for summer season jobs, however getting assist when assist is required is a problem post-pandemic.

Job openings within the two-state are among the many highest within the nation, and it’s forcing native enterprise house owners to assume exterior of the field to compete for employees.

From summer season necessities to last-minute items, the cabinets at Communigraphics are stocked with fabulous finds, however the hottest commodity shouldn’t be on the counter.

Liz: “How is the job search going?”

Traci Hooks, president, Communigraphics: “Terrible.”

It’s behind the counter.

Hooks: “I assumed I had put the flawed e-mail tackle for individuals to ship their resumes. I actually did as a result of in all probability for the primary 4 days, we had zero candidates.”

Hooks is aware of to adapt when developments change.

Hooks: “I’ve by no means seen that. By no means ever.”

It is a first in her 20 years in retail.

Hooks: “We put three or 4 jobs on the market for the final two weeks, and we bought three candidates.”

Liz: “What’s the regular.”

Hooks: “We might have 20 to 80 candidates years in the past earlier than COVID.”

Knowledge from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reveals unemployment is down 75 p.c, and the two-state area holds among the many highest charges of latest hires. But Hooks nonetheless struggles to fill positions at her retailer in North Augusta. She isn’t alone.

South Carolina holds the fourth-highest charge of job openings within the nation throughout the river. Georgia is available in at quantity two.

Liz: “How irritating is it?”

Hooks: “It’s extremely irritating since you set a degree of service, and also you count on a sure kind of worker who can present that service.”

Persons are quitting jobs in retail, hospitality, and meals service greater than in another business. In keeping with the Pew Analysis Middle, the primary motive employees gave for leaving a job final yr: low pay.

Hooks: “I’ve seen lots of people go to jobs that they’re not certified for.”

Liz: “Have you ever had that occur right here?”

Hooks: “Oh yeah, a number of instances.”

However Hooks is adapting to the altering workforce, tapping into an unlikely pool of candidates.

Hooks: “What we see are a whole lot of candidates who haven’t completed quite a bit within the final 4 or 5 years.”

Keep-at-home moms.

Hooks: “We modified full-time jobs to part-time. We’ve supplied for individuals to set their hours or weekdays.”

It’s a compromise she’s prepared to take to employees her enterprise. A giant concern for small enterprise house owners in Aiken County is the impression year-round college may have on staffing subsequent yr.

Working moms all in want of trip or childcare on the identical time may impression staffing ranges when college is out, and summer season applications are usually not obtainable for kids.

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