Where to get a job this summer
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TRI-CITIES, Wash. -- The unemployment rate here in the Tri-Cities continues to hover above both the state and national average. But getting a job here could take just one swing of the hammer. This summer is shaping up to be the biggest we've ever seen when it comes to road projects building permits and events.
Director of Worksource in Kennewick, Michelle Mann tells KEPR, "Summertime usually brings more hiring. The service industry, hotels, the tourism industry."
The biggest increase of all will be in construction.
She continues, "We've had several construction people unemployed in the last few months, especially over the winter months."
Jeff Renz has his own construction company and knows what it's done to the workforce. He says, "We have had a little break, but sometimes a break is good. But we do have projects coming and we'll be busy as ever again."
Some construction companies will hire people who don't have all of the skills you expect.
"Small contractors tend to hire people. They bring them in with less skills and pay them a lower wage until they get their skills up," Michelle explains.
More than 1,000 jobs will open in the next month or so for the summer. That's a third more than last year. However, only half of these positions will go to locals. Since the Tri-Cities has been the hub of growth in Washington, more contractors from the westside are doing business here and bringing their own workers.
Renz says, "We felt really good, then all of a sudden a lot of people came in and it does take away from the business of other builders."
The competition put a lot of local contractors out of business.
It's all because the bigger companies offer lower bids for the larger projects. Despite that, contractors like Jeff remain confident.
"We have a lot of room for growth, if we keep the right jobs coming our way," he says.
And, if the people who need the jobs around here get the work. The outlook for teens also looks more promising. That's because more skilled workers are getting higher paid positions and not taking lower-paying jobs away from the kids.
Director of Worksource in Kennewick, Michelle Mann tells KEPR, "Summertime usually brings more hiring. The service industry, hotels, the tourism industry."
The biggest increase of all will be in construction.
She continues, "We've had several construction people unemployed in the last few months, especially over the winter months."
Jeff Renz has his own construction company and knows what it's done to the workforce. He says, "We have had a little break, but sometimes a break is good. But we do have projects coming and we'll be busy as ever again."
Some construction companies will hire people who don't have all of the skills you expect.
"Small contractors tend to hire people. They bring them in with less skills and pay them a lower wage until they get their skills up," Michelle explains.
More than 1,000 jobs will open in the next month or so for the summer. That's a third more than last year. However, only half of these positions will go to locals. Since the Tri-Cities has been the hub of growth in Washington, more contractors from the westside are doing business here and bringing their own workers.
Renz says, "We felt really good, then all of a sudden a lot of people came in and it does take away from the business of other builders."
The competition put a lot of local contractors out of business.
It's all because the bigger companies offer lower bids for the larger projects. Despite that, contractors like Jeff remain confident.
"We have a lot of room for growth, if we keep the right jobs coming our way," he says.
And, if the people who need the jobs around here get the work. The outlook for teens also looks more promising. That's because more skilled workers are getting higher paid positions and not taking lower-paying jobs away from the kids.
