GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids-based Staffing Inc. is trying to fill 300 full- and part-time local jobs – even some that offer employer-sponsored healthcare.
As the state begins to reopen, more and more companies are trying to fill suddenly available spots. From the manufacturing and service industries, to call center and HR management jobs, Staffing Inc. VP of staffing Todd VandenHeuvel says now is the time to apply, for a few reasons.
“The federal unemployment dollars that people have been receiving – the $600 per week – is set to end,” said VandenHeuvel. “That has been a huge benefit and it’s greatly helped a lot pf people but it’s set to run dry. So I think it’s important people start looking now.”
Unless lawmakers act fast, the weekly federal payments are set to stop at the end of July. VandenHeuvel says people might need to work to make up that loss, especially seasonal workers who can’t work this summer.
“With the gig economy we know people are trying to pick up a few hours here and there,” said VandenHeuvel. “I look at it as all the referees and all the umpires that are not umping games or refereeing games.”
People looking for full time work might also be looking for health care – some 27 million Americans lost their employer-sponsored coverage when the pandemic hit.
“Usually it takes about 30 days to qualify for benefits,” said VandenHeuvel. “You want that clock to start immediately.”
For as much as the pandemic has cost the country in jobs, VandenHeuvel says new positions like health screeners and work-from-home opportunities have emerged.
And if you’re in limbo, still waiting for a call from an employer about a pre-pandemic job, VandenHeuvel says the call on waiting is yours to make.
“I think that’s a personal decision,” he said. “Unfortunately, some companies aren’t going to come through and they’re going to close their doors forever. Some companies are going to be at a much-reduced workforce.”
Staffing Inc. is hosting a job fair with one of their partner-businesses, Cascade Engineering, on July 7th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
For more information on Staffing Inc., click here.
For more information on Cascade Engineering, click here.
