Job fair: Employment issues continuing
COSHOCTON — Officials with Ohio Means Jobs of Coshocton County said the same issues plaguing the local job market a year ago as the COVID-19 pandemic lessened are still a problem in Coshocton County.
During the Great Recession that started in 2008, there were plenty of workers but few jobs available. Now, there are open jobs, but nobody to fill them. From fast food workers to upper management of large companies, there are openings everywhere.
OMJ held an annual jobs fair last week at Coshocton Village Inn and Suites with 23 vendors and 93 job seekers part of In-Demand Jobs Week; a celebration of the skills, jobs and industries that are of high need currently across Ohio.
Lynn Jacobs, director of the local OMJ, said that's about everything you can think of. For the week ending April 19, Coshocton County had about 700 people out of work, or a 5% unemployment rate. OMJ had 190 full-time positions listed and 23 part-time. This included 60 openings at Kraft-Heinz, 46 at Cleveland Cliffs and 27 at McWane Ductile.
"We're working more with businesses to help them find those employees who are ready for work, rather than trying to help the employees help find those businesses that have job openings," Jacobs said. "This is nationwide and a real struggle for businesses to find and keep talent."
He said it was known a big hole in the labor force would be coming as Baby Boomers retired. However, that was hastened by the pandemic with many deciding to retire early. This has caused what has been termed the Great Resignation.
"I've seen recent reports where the Boomers who decided to retire and get out of the workforce, they're starting to return somewhat. I think what's happening is that businesses are making them offers they can't refuse, but in different situations than where they were before," Jacobs said.
Jacobs also said many women have chosen not to come back after the pandemic, preferring to stay home and take care of the children. Child care can be a major cost for families, he said, and saving that money means some can get by on one income.
"When they were put out of work for awhile, they realized the cost of child care, or lack of child care at that point, and said 'if we just tighten our belts and reduce our household expenses, I can stay home and take care of my kids myself,'" Jacobs said. "This was at a point where women had just overtaken men as far as workers in the workplace, it was just over 50% at the beginning of the pandemic, now that's dropped back a little bit."
Jacobs said cash assistance and Welfare isn't as big a factor as some think. He said that went up a bit during the pandemic, but it's come down drastically since. Only 12 people in Coshocton County are receiving cash assistance and less than 1,000 get food help through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP).
On the positive side, Jacobs said trades have seen a big boost recently. He feels this has to do with his agency and others doing a good job of sharing how such skilled labor is in high demand and offers good careers. The Coshocton County Career Center is looking at its highest enrollment ever next school year with more than half of the county's juniors attending the vocational school.
"Sometimes the trades are the best bet. You get into the workplace sooner. In an internship, you're making money right away as you learn. Then, as a journeyman, you're making the big bucks," Jacobs said. "But, (the trades industry) is in the same situation as every other business, we've got to find the talent to help us."
Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with close to 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Job fair: Employment issues continuing
