Talk to employers these days and they’ll tell you they face two big challenges: Finding good workers, and keeping them around.
That’s a result of the low unemployment rate both nationwide and in Hawaii. While fewer people being jobless is good, the drawback is, business often face staffing shortages.
The state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations recently announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August was 2.7%, compared to 2.8% for March through July.
Statewide, 643,050 were employed and 18,000 unemployed in August, for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 661,050. Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7% in August, the same for the third consecutive month.
Kauai’s jobless rate was 2.5% in August, down from 2.7% in July, and also down from 2.7% in August 2018.
In a separate measure of employment, there was a decline of 1,800 nonagricultural jobs in August over July. Within the major industries, job gains occurred in professional and business services (+400), education and health services (+300), leisure and hospitality (+200), construction (+100) and manufacturing (+100).
If you’re looking for a job, or if you’re looking for employees, we might be able to help.
The 2019 Career Expo presented by The Garden Island is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday at Kukui Grove Center. It is free. What it will do is bring employers and potential employees together under one roof. We’re talking hundreds of jobs being available in one place.
Some of those who will be on hand include Ross Dress for Less, Times/Big Save, 7-Eleven Hawaii, Aqua Engineers, Avis Budget Group, Foodland, Genki Sushi, Hawaii Family Dental, Hawaii Foodservice Alliance, Hawaiian Airlines, HiEmployment, Kamehameha Schools, Kauai Police Department, Maui Divers Jewelry and Polynesian Adventure Tours.
That’s not all. There will be more on hand. If you’re looking for work, or even if you’re looking for a new career, perhaps want to hear about opportunities available, then this Career Expo is for you. Stop by. Be ready to chat with employers and find out what it is they offer and what it is they need. They’ll be glad to explain things for you. It will help to dress sharp and have a resume. Arrive early. Pay attention. Make a good first impression, as they say. You might surprise yourself and find out your skills are more in demand than you thought.
And employers, if you need workers now, be ready to outline why they should work for you and what you can do for them, what wages, benefits you offer. In this market, businesses must stand out to attract the best.
There will be outstanding businesses at this Career Expo. They are committed to finding the very best to work for them. Come prepared and you could be one of them. Don’t miss this opportunity to take the next big step in your career.
