Palm Coast, FL – (April 8, 2021) In the land of opportunity, there has probably never been a better time to actually land that golden opportunity, than today.
Dream jobs that had once been considered pipe dreams are now coming available and higher wage jobs sit empty, as employers frantically look for people to fill them.
Healthcare jobs starting around the $20 an hour mark are open and available according to Chris Townsend, representing Indigo Manor and Indigo Palms facilities. Taking applications from two walk-ins during the Hiring Fair 2021 held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Palm Coast on Thursday, he said the need for employees is real.
“Based on the COVID outbreak there’s a shortage of healthcare workers and we’re looking for CNAs, registered nurses, LPNs, social workers, any of those types of positions for our facility in Daytona Beach,” he said.
Currently employed and going to school, Stacy Davey didn’t hesitate to put in an application with Townsend in hopes of landing a job closer to home.
“My dad told me there was job fair and I flew down here,” said the CNA, seeking a data entry position, while in school for billing and coding.
Undaunted by workload, Davey was optimistic. “I’ve been working since I was 16 so I’m used to it.”
Other employers were quick to snap up new talent as part of the hiring fair.
“We hired one person for our construction field division and we also started a conversation with somebody getting into real estate sales and we’ll be working with her next week,” said TAG Ventures Real Estate co-owner Kathy Austrino.
On site to talk to potential employees, Julia Levesque and Nicole Norton displayed the opportunities available at Boston Whaler on one large poster and the benefits on the other. Looking to hire 300 by this time next year, Levesque said the opportunities are there now, for people ready to hit the ground running.
“We are expanding operations, we’re moving certain production lines from Edgewater to here just to keep up with the demand in the boating industry,” said Levesque. “We are looking right now to hire individuals and help train them so that they are up to speed when we get our first orders.”
The same could be said for WastePro, who experienced the challenges of the employee shortage firsthand last week, with delays in service.
Quick to rectify the situation, division manager Heather Badger-Felmet, whose territory spans Palm Coast to Jacksonville with residential and commercial pickup, called in 18 crews to fill in the gaps and return customers to their regular schedules. She was candid in her message – no experience necessary. There are job opportunities available, right now.
“We’re just like everybody else. When you can’t get workers things fall a little bit behind,” explained Badger-Felmet. “The goal is to continue to hire, hire, hire so we can stay a step ahead of everything that’s been going on.”
What’s the going rate at WastePro? New hire drivers – with no experience $175 per day, helpers – no experience $130 per day. Full-time work, Monday through Friday, and benefits after the 90 day probation period.
Locally owned ATEC Air, Inc. relayed a similar message when sharing their need to fill four positions, and co-owner Brian Moll, said he preferred to train from the ground up to ensure the highest quality service for their customers.
“We’re actively interviewing,” said Moll. “It’s a recession-proof, pandemic-proof business.”
For those who still need a break from the real world, Old Town Trolley Tours representative Jennifer Howington said the tour company located in St. Augustine, which includes the Old Jail Museum, Potter’s Wax Museum and the Oldest Store Museum, was looking to fill everything from trolley tour conductor (with a $500 hiring bonus and paid training) to ghost hosts, history tellers, sales representatives and administrative positions.
“I think we haven’t seen that real big comeback from COVID, and since that’s happened we haven’t had a real large influx of applicants,” said Howington.
Touching base with dozens of individuals by mid-afternoon, Spherion Staffing representative Danielle Silva said it was a prime time for job seekers to consider their next move.
“Next week, in Flagler County we need 37 different people,” she said.
“Businesses are busy again. There are amazing opportunities now. I’ve been in the staffing industry for almost 19 years and I have never seen the market as such. It is an employees’ market. You can choose the best companies to work for, in the county, in the state. If you’re not looking or accepting a job right now, those positions are being taken by people who do want to work, that are going every day, deciding to move from one company to another in order to secure that position in a dream company.”
On site to help connect job seekers and employers, Marilyn Edwards, business services representative for CareerSource Volusia/Flagler talked with individuals about training, resume writing and other services available to help prepare them to reenter or upskill as part of the local workforce.
“The job fairs are very important right now because a lot of our businesses are hurting for employees,” said Edwards, who was able to help three job seekers get employed on the spot, and collected an estimated 25 resumes she’ll send to employers after the fair.
“This is the right time to get that ideal job that you’re looking for, and CareerSource can also help you with your resume to get you prepared for something you haven’t done before. We have scholarships, if you want to change your career, to help get a better job or get a job.”
Out and about in the community, Kirk Keller, director of sales for Flagler Radio and host of Flagler’s Business Report, organized the event after hearing repeatedly from business owners about the lack of available workforce talent.
“Their biggest concern has been they can’t find staff,” said Keller. “The reason we called it a Hiring Fair is that people are hiring on the spot.”
