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Jobs available despite high unemployment rate
Stefano Rosellini, who heads up FIAMM Technologies' Waynesboro plant, said his battery manufacturing facility could hire dozens more employees immediately. "If our order book keeps going the way it is now, we could hire another 60 people with no problem," he said. Many of the openings are for mid-level management or supervisory positions, not bottom of the payscale. The company offers health insurance, which costs employees just $65 per month and a 401K retirement plan. Employees are paid time-and-a-half for overtime and receive double-time for work on Sundays and holidays. Wages range from $8 per hour to $20 per hour, with the average worker making around $12. Still, Rosellini said he can't seem to find quality people to hire. He said many of the workers his company attracts do not want the added responsibility of management positions. "We have a hard time finding people with the right mindset who are willing to go the extra mile," he said. "…Some really want to work, and they are good. We have some employees that are very valuable, but we have others who have a short-term mentality." He points to turnover as the biggest problem and often sees employees come and go. While the plant is currently operating six days a week, Rosellini said business would support operations around the clock all week long. The company has recently constructed a rail spur to the plant that should increase business even more. Many of the jobs do not need specialized training or previous experience. Most positions require only a high school diploma. "As long as someone is willing to work, we are willing to work with someone," Rosellini said. Local economic development officials remain equally frustrated with the situation. The county's unemployment rate in January was 9.2 percent, up from 8.8 percent three months ago and 6.4 percent a year ago. The state rate was 5.2 percent in January.
Members of the Burke County Development Authority have been looking for ways to educate more residents about local career opportunities. |
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