Workers seek health care jobs amid high demand for employees
COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)
The health care industry needs people, with many hospitals reporting staffing shortages that have become a familiar sight during the coronavirus pandemic.
This week's state profile report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a quarter of Missouri hospitals have a staffing shortage. Health care jobs statewide increased by 2.5% in August over the previous year.
The Columbia Job Center held a job fair Wednesday to help health care employers fill those open jobs.
Debra Hicks of Columbia, was at the fair looking for employment. She said she received her phlebotomy certification this week after 10 years in retail.
"I think with the pandemic and everything that has been going on and all of the stresses and all of the changes that are going on, I just kind of felt maybe this was the perfect time for me to make a change ..." Hicks said. "I have a good work history and I just decided it was time for a new adventure."
The quasi-governmental Central Workforce Development Board, which runs the Missouri Job Center, organized the event. Spokesperson Sundi Jo Graham said the idea is to make the hiring process easier for employers.
"We want to do everything we can to help employers find new team members, and offering on-site interviews is a great way to create that personal connection between employers and job seekers,” Graham said.
Health care employment statewide increased, but employers are still looking to hire more people.
Abby Courtney is a teacher and career coordinator at goodwill excel. She went to the event to help her students who are interested in health care find employment.
Courtney says her students are eager to work but are not fans of the waiting period. "One of the challenges we've had is the hiring process takes a long time and our students are anxious to get a job and so they get discouraged and then often just stop because they want to get a job today," Courtney said.
Eva See is the recruitment and retention officer for Fulton State Hospital. She said those seeking employment can get money for school as well.
"We have a wonderful program available at our facility. Its a stipend program. It allows individuals to go to school. We pay stipend towards their schooling and then once they graduate, they will have a guaranteed position with us" See said
Hiring events like these are called Walk-In Wednesdays and have a different career focus each time. Oct 20. Walk-In Wednesday will feature manufacturing employers.
