Help Wanted signs (Independence: 2015, mortgage, unemployment rate)

[ION1010]

We couldn't help but notice in an annual trip to the mid central part of the state last week the remarkable amount of 'Help Wanted' signs in virtually all of the small towns we passed through. These were for good jobs in machinery and factory as well as retail. Is the MO economy getting that much better? Also saw a large number of reopened businesses.

[James Bond 007]

They are all over the KC area and have been so ever since I moved here in late 2015. In Independence, in particular, it seems as if more than half the businesses have help wanted or now hiring signs up.

[James Bond 007]

In fact, here's a photo of a somewhat desperate-sounding help wanted sign I took last summer in front of the Unilever plant in Independence. Don't know if it's still there, but anyway ...

[James Bond 007]

Also, I think the labor shortage around here has more to do with an actual scarcity of unemployed labor rather than because of a booming economy. The economy is doing OK but not booming ... however, Missouri's population is fairly old and as a result a lot of people have retired and are no longer interested in working. Plus, I think the amount of young people is pretty low. Combine those two and you get a labor shortage. It's almost like a precursor of Japan or Europe. The unemployment rate in MO is 3.9% as of May, which is pretty low.

[ION1010]

Originally Posted by James Bond 007

Also, I think the labor shortage around here has more to do with an actual scarcity of unemployed labor rather than because of a booming economy. The economy is doing OK but not booming ... however, Missouri's population is fairly old and as a result a lot of people have retired and are no longer interested in working. Plus, I think the amount of young people is pretty low. Combine those two and you get a labor shortage. It's almost like a precursor of Japan or Europe. The unemployment rate in MO is 3.9% as of May, which is pretty low.

Yeah, not much different than here in Iowa though there's not as much signage or help wanted ads. Omaha's been dealing with that for decades now and many companies no longer advertise and predatory hiring practices are common especially for 'unskilled' workers. MO seemed unusually active this year, though, almost as if there was no 2008 recession. I wish increased wages followed as they should, but won't hold my breath.

[Floorist]

Many places in my area leave the "now hiring" signs up year round, even when they are not hiring. Several places Like the 3M factory and the US Bank mortgage center only hire temps and keep them 89 days so they don't have to give them benefits.