What is the job market like there right now? (2014, car insurance)

[sunset7]

Hi,

What is the job market like in Nashville right now with the economy and all? What is it like around December in general? Is it difficult to find employment? What about employment that will give you enough income to pay a full rent, car insurance, etc.?

Thanks!

Thanks!

[artemis]

What sort of work are you looking for?

[rossc]

Originally Posted by sunset7

Hi,

Is it difficult to find employment?

It's difficult to find employees. They all want to start at the top and for that they don't want to work. We're a small manufacturer of industrial machinery. We've hired over 2 dozen people in the last 2 months. Three of them are still here. Some were fired and some just flaked out never came back to work.

As an employer I can tell you that if you want to work and take your job seriously, there is plenty of work. We hire mostly fabricators and metal workers, but the same is true for any job.

[370z]

Originally Posted by rossc

It's difficult to find employees. They all want to start at the top and for that they don't want to work. We're a small manufacturer of industrial machinery. We've hired over 2 dozen people in the last 2 months. Three of them are still here. Some were fired and some just flaked out never came back to work.

As an employer I can tell you that if you want to work and take your job seriously, there is plenty of work. We hire mostly fabricators and metal workers, but the same is true for any job.

When we were first considering moving to Nashville a couple years ago, we were told not to move because there was no work. From your response that doesn't sound true. My husband works in the manufacturing/warehouse/fork lift driver field. So we decided not to move. He has an excellent job history. So maybe we should take the chance & move there after all, next year!

[rossc]

You may have to stand in line to get a job, but if you're good, your employer won't want to let you go, which is why it's so hard to find good employees. One thing to consider is that a lot of employers find employees by asking their current employees. Hiring from CraigsList or a newspaper ad is a real shot in the dark. Most of our crew were hired that way.

The problem with general warehouse work is that the pay is pretty low. Looking at $8 - $10 / hour. Skilled trades are a little better, but the local market is flooded with unqualified kids right out of trade school. The schools here are great about taking your money, but they have no clue as to where the industry is headed. They are still teaching gas welding when they need to be teaching robotics.

[370z]

Originally Posted by rossc

You may have to stand in line to get a job, but if you're good, your employer won't want to let you go, which is why it's so hard to find good employees. One thing to consider is that a lot of employers find employees by asking their current employees. Hiring from CraigsList or a newspaper ad is a real shot in the dark. Most of our crew were hired that way.

The problem with general warehouse work is that the pay is pretty low. Looking at $8 - $10 / hour. Skilled trades are a little better, but the local market is flooded with unqualified kids right out of trade school. The schools here are great about taking your money, but they have no clue as to where the industry is headed. They are still teaching gas welding when they need to be teaching robotics.

So it seems like the bottom line is that you really need to know somebody to get a decent job!?

[rossc]

Unfortunately, that's true in a lot of cases. It's such a shot in the dark hiring off the street. It costs money and time to train new people, so it's more comforting knowing you're hiring someone who might stay a little while.

[370z]

Originally Posted by rossc

Unfortunately, that's true in a lot of cases. It's such a shot in the dark hiring off the street. It costs money and time to train new people, so it's more comforting knowing you're hiring someone who might stay a little while.

Do you check previous employment to see what kind of a worker they were/are?

[rossc]

Not usually....Because someone in the shop knows them and can vouch for them.

[370z]

Originally Posted by rossc

Not usually....Because someone in the shop knows them and can vouch for them.

I was talking about people from the outside, not recommended by someone in the shop. Or do you never consider someone else?