Where Can Out-Of-Work Wisconsinites Find Jobs?
Heavy Truck Drivers, Nurses Are the Positions with Most Online Job Listings in Wisconsin
By Rachael Vasquez
Published: Tuesday, November 3, 2020, 5:45am
Tens of thousands of people remain out of work in Wisconsin as a result of the economic upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic. So for those who are looking for a new job, what are the industries that are hiring in the state right now?
Between Oct. 2 and Nov. 1, the jobs with the most online listings in Wisconsin were heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, registered nurses, retail salespeople, retail supervisors, and stockroom clerks, according to a job posting tracker from Emsi, a data analytics company which compiles data using online job listings.
The industries in Wisconsin with the most online job listings, according to data from Emsi include administrative and support services; truck transportation; professional, scientific and technical services; ambulatory health care services; and food services and drinking places.
Emsi cautions that the number of postings may not reflect the actual numbers of hires made by employers, and that postings can be higher than the number of actual hires made when an employer is trying hard to find employees. The company also said that the number of postings might underrepresent jobs that don’t often post online ads, like roofers or welders.
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South Central Wisconsin
Seth Lentz, executive director of the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin, said in an email that healthcare, manufacturing, information technology and finance are driving the economy in south central Wisconsin.
“Anecdotally, we are hearing form industry leaders and partners that manufacturing is the largest industry sector driving hiring activity right now,” Lentz said, adding that manufacturers are trying to catch up with new demand caused by the pandemic.
He said the demand he’s observing in the manufacturing sector is for entry-level positions, like assemblers, packers, and customer service workers, noting that many pay between $15 and $18 an hour.
Lentz also said the construction industry is continually looking for skilled workers, despite the fact that the season is winding down as it gets closer to winter.
For IT and finance jobs, Lentz said positions vary by skill and education level, but many employers are bringing in entry-level employees and then working with them on advancement.
Hotels and restaurants in the region have been hit particularly hard by the economic effects of the outbreak, and by extension, have seen a higher rate of layoffs in the region, he said.
“Our business partners in industries such as manufacturing have been adamant that the one thing they are looking for (is) the transferable skills, and they have reached out to us specifically to try and tap into pockets of those hospitality and retail workers recently displaced by layoffs and business closures in order to get them to consider roles within their companies,” Lentz said.
He highlighted skills like customer service, communication, dependability and attention to detail as some that employers see value in.
Lentz said displaced workers can get assistance from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act’s Dislocated Worker Program. Career planners help workers with resumes, interviewing skills and the job search process free of cost.
Read the whole Wisconsin Public Radio article.