Focus on Manatee | Employers can get help as they begin to hire more workers

While the world seems like it has slowed down, hiring certainly hasn’t stopped.

Granted, we’ve seen several companies over the past few months have to trim down operations or shutter all together, and I don’t say that lightly. The impact the pandemic has had on our local economy is significant, and it’s important to now focus on connecting job seekers with the businesses that are hiring.

After months of unexpected losses in revenue, it’s a big task for an employer to take on – and can be a pricey one at that, especially when it can cost upwards of $4,000 to hire someone new.

Luckily, there are opportunities that local employers can take advantage of to lower their initial financial risk of hiring a new employee.

The hospitality industry has taken a huge hit over the past few months with over 8,000 jobs lost in our region alone. But as the economy starts to open back up again and tourists begin to return (and locals, too), we’re seeing more hotels and restaurants place ads for hire.

With nearly $150,000 in grant funds, CareerSource Suncoast can help recruit new hires for businesses in the hospitality industry, reimburse these businesses for on-the-job-training, and will even pay for Covey’s 7 Habits Foundations where new hires learn how to be effective and lasting team members. Making an investment in new hires is important, but it’s also nice when someone else can foot a chunk of the bill for a while, especially in the beginning when the risk is the highest. Providing wrap-around training like 7 Habits is also valuable in setting new hires up for long-term success.

Many other industries can benefit from on-the-job training funding. From construction to healthcare, we have over $300,000 in funds this year to help all types of businesses train new employees.

The world hasn’t stopped, and making the right investment in new hires shouldn’t either. CareerSource Suncoast can help ease the discomfort of having to spend even more money after going so long with limited or no revenue.

Give our team a call, we’re here to help. (941) 358-4200.

Ted Ehrlichman is president and CEO of CareerSource Suncoast.