As of September 2016, Lenawee County’s unemployment rate sits at a low 3.8%, a rate that is considered full employment and is below the national rate of 5%. A very different story from July of 2009, when Lenawee County’s unemployment rate hit 18.1%.
Although the 3.8% unemployment rate is good for the county, Lenawee County is now at risk of reaching hyper employment, meaning there won’t be any more citizens of Lenawee County able to be hired by companies, which would hinder company growth. But how is Lenawee County able to have such a low unemployment rate and still grow companies?
Operation: SERVE is the seventh annual community and career expo that takes place at Siena Heights University. Operation: SERVE puts the employer face to face with potential employees and helps the employee find jobs and the employer find new workers. This year’s Operation: SERVE took place Wednesday, November 2, and had about 41 employers there. Some of the employers that were at the event this year include; Clift Buick GMC, Hantz Group, and ProMedica.
“It’s great to see our local employers having face time with candidates,” said the Chair of Operation: SERVE, Melissa Growden. “Even if there is not an immediate hire, it’s helping to develop relationships and know how that needs to be in place to continue filling jobs with the right people.”
The three colleges that are in Lenawee County, which include Adrian College, Jackson College, and Siena Heights University, all have the potential to add more employees to the workforce with every graduation day.
Manufacturing is one of the largest industries in Lenawee County and has the largest need of employers. Students who will be graduating soon could be jumping into the workforce with the many manufacturing companies in the area. Showing potential opportunities in manufacturing, students in Lenawee County participated in Manufacturing Day last month that showcased jobs and careers that are available with local manufacturers.
It’s very encouraging to see Lenawee County’s citizens and economy thriving. With great events such as Operation: SERVE and Manufacturing Day, local companies are able to connect with their future workforce. Lenawee Now also offers an online job board at LenaweeNow.org/Jobs that showcases various opportunities in Lenawee County as well as making it simple for employers to post their open positions.