California hits record low jobless rate, but openings still abound

While unemployment is at an alltime low in the state and in San Joaquin County, there are still jobs to be had and services available for prospective employees, and local employment and staffing agencies say they are always ready to provide resources to those in need.

Brittney Peterson, an account manager at Labor Max employment, acknowledged that work may be a little slower now than in the years following the recession, but also noted that employers are always in search of qualified candidates.

“Yeah, at times it may be slower, but there are always candidates available so we just make sure we’re frequently checking search engines for people who have not been employed to keep things going,” Peterson said.

Currently, the majority of jobs available are positions with restoration companies or warehouse production and assembly lines, Peterson said.

Rehana Zaman, administrative assistant, with the California Human Development Worknet Center in Lodi, said that during times when unemployment is low, the agency focuses on providing vocational training.

“We are still very active with enrolling people in the training for truck driving and welding and recently collaborated with Delta College so we can learn about some of the trainings they provide that will give certifications,” she said.

According to Zaman, their center is still running but is not as busy as in past years. However, people do still come in to seek their services such as resume assistance. Employment agencies still contact them as well. Zeman noted that Volt Workforce Solutions utilizes the center frequently to host interviews because they have various employers hiring in the area.

Zaman said she was also contacted by The Staffing Network of Sacramento about a possible partnership. They have employers in the area and have inquired about hosting interviews at the Lodi center as they get ready to fill positions.

“I’m very, very pleased the unemployment rate is dropping down, but there are activities going on and there are trainings available,” Zaman said. “We still are active with our current employers for welding and trucking. There are some production and warehouse jobs available as well.”

Volt is also looking to fill positions at call centers in the Lodi and Galt areas.

According to Lodi Chamber of Commerce President Pat Patrick, many of the jobs open today are what are referred to as middle skills jobs. The projection is that 70 percent of all jobs that are offered will not require a bachelor’s degree or higher, but they will require specific knowledge accreditation or certification, he said.

Jobs in electrical, plumbing, heavy industry, light industry, manufacturing and food processing are in high demand, Patrick said. The people who are in those jobs currently are baby boomers and Patrick said they’re retiring at a rate of 10,000 people a day.

Patrick said that while middle skills jobs are in demand, any field is open as long as those applying for the jobs have the skill to do the jobs that are available. He pointed out that there was a shortage of workers in health care, manufacturing, distribution and construction.

“Even though unemployment is low, there are still a lot of jobs out there,” Patrick said.