Local officials say employers still looking for workers, especially in manufacturing

LANCASTER — The worst of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be over. But some local employers are still having trouble finding workers as life returns to mostly normal.

Canal Winchester Economic Development Director Lucas Haire said employers in manufacturing are having the most trouble.

"We've had probably 700-plus new jobs in the community over the past year and a lot of those have not struggled to hire," he said. "But a lot of those are in warehouse and distribution-type fulfillment (sectors). And those bring a little higher wages. They're offering more flexibility in scheduling and they're not having issues with hiring."

But Haire said the manufacturing employers who offer less flexibility and who are reluctant to increase wages are struggling.

He said he doesn't think the manufacturing issue will change anytime soon.

"I do not," Haire said. "You've got a lot of blue collar workers that are in that baby boomer generation that are leaving the workforce. We don't have a large group of people entering the workforce that want to be in those blue-collar industries."

He said the high gas prices that hover around $4 for a gallon of regular unleaded don't help.

"Not as many people are willing to commute long distances for jobs," Haire said. "So that's also caused an issue. A lot of the labor that comes to Fairfield County is coming from the southeast. They're commuting up and it starts to make a lot less sense when fuel's $4 a gallon to make that long drive every day if the wages won't support that kind of commute."

MORE: Local officials and employers say there are multiple reasons for the labor shortage

Fairfield County Job and Family Services Director Corey Clark said the job market is wide open locally.

"It seems like just about every employer is hiring right now," he said.

Clark said the local labor shortage is hitting just about every industry. But like Haire, he said manufacturing is hit the hardest, along with the skilled trades.

"But certainly if you drive up Memorial Drive you can see that just about and every fast food and retail (business) are hiring," Clark said.

He said there are several reasons for the labor shortage, including the fact that more people are retiring than are entering the job market. Clark said that trend has been going on for the past few years, but that the COVID-19 pandemic magnified it.

"There were people maybe planning to retire in the next year to five years who decided that maybe now's the time instead," he said.

Clark said the pandemic no doubt caused two-income families to become a one-income family because they needed to care for children who were home from school so often and learning remotely. He said some of the families may have decided to remain a one-income family.

Clark said parts of the labor shortage will be long-term.

"Definitely the trend where there are more people retiring and leaving the workforce than there are entering the workforce," he said. "That's just based on the demographics of the population. I don't think there's going to be some occurrence that's just going to flip the switch overnight and all of a sudden see a ton of people coming into the workforce. I think it's going to be more gradual than that."

The JFS handles the Ohio Means Job program locally for those seeking employment. Clark said about 1,000 people per month would come in before the pandemic. But that's down to about 300 and 400 now. Clark said the drop may be because it's easier to find work and people may not need that service.

Fairfield County Economic Development Director Rick Szabrak said there are plenty of jobs available in central Ohio.

"While they still have a lot of openings, we're seeing more people applying and more people entering the workforce than we did last year," he said. "It's on an upswing. One of the big things is COVID has sort of flattened out a bit. Schools now are regularly in session and people are able to plan now and not worried about if there's going to be school tomorrow or is it going to be remote."

Szabrak also said some families who had to become one-income families during the pandemic now realize they need two incomes.

But that doesn't mean the labor shortage is over.

"There's labor shortages everywhere," Szabrak said. "The restaurant industry still continues to struggle more than a lot. The schedules can be rougher in restaurants. You've got nights and weekends. And quite frankly, in the service industry you've got to be really patient."

He said the economy is seeing more and more people work with companies like Uber and Grubhub, which he said will impact the service industry.

Szabrak also spoke of the labor shortages in manufacturing.

"Part of the problem is with the supply-chain issues it's becoming difficult to figure out staffing for manufacturers," he said. "Because if you're waiting for parts you can't get and you need them to assemble, you may not have work for people today."

Even with trouble finding workers, Szabrak said local manufacturers are growing and are enjoying good business.

"Manufacturing isn't the dirty, dark, dangerous dead-end job that they may think it was in the past," he said of people's perceptions. "So, hopefully, we're seeing more people realize that."

Szabrak also said construction jobs are at their highest-ever level in central Ohio. He said that will continue following Intel's recent announcement to open a chip plant in New Albany and some data centers opening in the region.

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"There's going to be a greater need for construction now and into the future," Szabrak said. "We'll be short in those jobs for a while. But we're trying to do everything we can to try to fill those types of positions with programs with have at the (Fairfield County) workforce center and everywhere else through central Ohio. All the trade schools are trying to ramp up their construction trades."

jbarron@gannett.com

740-681-4340

Twitter: @JeffDBarron

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Local employers still looking for workers, especially in manufacturing