Wisconsin Faces Worker Shortage

A low unemployment rate, an aging population and a poor record of attracting college graduates has employers in Wisconsin scrambling to fill positions.

“We are right at the brink of the crisis,” said Ann Franz, director of Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance. “There just aren’t enough human beings in Wisconsin with baby boomers retiring.”

Wisconsin had an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent in July, down from a peak of 9.2 percent in January 2010. Economists say at a rate of 4 or 5 percent, nearly everyone who is able and willing is employed.

Phil Neuenfeldt, president of Wisconsin AFL-CIO, said wages and benefits packages often are not enough to attract workers. Sasha Wesolowski, a human resources manager, said companies often cannot offer wage increases because staying competitive leaves little profit.

Wesolowski said the yacht-building company where she works has dozens of jobs that start at $12.50 an hour. In spite of recruitment efforts that include billboards, parade floats, and postcards to laid off workers, the company cannot fill the jobs.  Source: Wisconsin State Journal