An employee works on a bunker at Palmer Hills Golf Course in Bettendorf. The city-owned course is getting ready to hire 15 to 17 seasonal workers in the next few weeks. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Brian Hickey is a busy man. Even though there is snow in the forecast, the golf maintenance manager at Palmer Hills Golf Course in Bettendorf, has summer on his mind. Mr. Hickey is busy with all the big and small jobs of getting the golf course ready for another season. If the weather cooperates, it […]
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Brian Hickey is a busy man.Even though there is snow in the forecast, the golf maintenance manager at Palmer Hills Golf Course in Bettendorf, has summer on his mind. Mr. Hickey is busy with all the big and small jobs of getting the golf course ready for another season. If the weather cooperates, it will be open by late March.And even if the weather doesn’t cooperate, Mr. Hickey is getting ready to hire his summer helpers – or seasonal workers – in just a few short weeks. He expects to hire between 15 to 17 seasonal workers who will do jobs such as mowing greens, course setup, moving pin locations on the green, moving tee markers, filling divots and many other jobs.“Seasonal workers do many different tasks,” he said. “We try to crosstrain our staff so that anyone can fill in on any job on any given day.”Mr. Hickey is not alone. Many other employers across the Quad Cities region are looking to summer – and getting ready to hire summer workers during these uncertain economic times. Even though some economists see the job-hiring market as cooling off this year, there are still plenty of jobs and historically low unemployment. The latest national unemployment rate is at 3.6% with 311,000 new jobs added in February. In Iowa, the jobless rate remains at around 3% as many companies continue to scramble for workers. In fact, state lawmakers are now considering a bill allowing teens 14 to 17 years old to get in the workforce by participating in "work-based learning or a school or employer-administered, work-related program."While that debate continues, job fairs and hiring events have been held across the country in recent weeks, including in the QC, with the goal of getting workers hired well before the summer months. Most of those events are aimed at hiring young people and students for summer jobs, but many employers say they don’t really care about the age of workers. They bluntly put it this way: We will hire anybody willing to work.Nationwide, many employers have shown a hint of desperation as companies still are having problems finding workers. Some examples include:
A company in Philadelphia is touting a starting wage of $15 per hour, as well as a free six-inch hoagie sandwich per shift for every worker.
In Michigan, a company added a wellness room – providing both a physical and mental health support system – to attract workers.
At Armstrong International in Three Rivers, Michigan, the company added a chapel with an on-site chaplain with faith being a part of the company's motto: "Faith in God, family, job, in this order."
The city of Coralville, Iowa, recently held its “Insta-Hire” job fair to make job offers on the spot for summer positions.
In the Quad Cities, companies may not be offering workers free sandwiches with every shift or on-site chapels, but those employers are well aware that workers are still in short supply.“All of our employers, at least most of them, are looking to hire people in all sectors,” Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher said at the sixth annual Mayors’ Young Adult Hiring Fair in late February at the Waterfront Convention Center, Bettendorf.The hiring event brought together more than 60 companies, agencies, military branches and government offices that are looking for employees – many for summer jobs. Many of those employers had the same message: We have plenty of job openings and are looking for people who are willing to work and learn new skills.“We’re hiring for everything,” Amy Goodwin, director of human resources for the YMCA of the Mississippi Valley, said as she did her best to attract the young people to her table. “I try to draw them in because some of them are shy. They’ve never been to anything like this before.”Ms. Goodwin added that the YMCA is looking for a wide variety of employees in many areas from desk staff and lifeguards as well as 30 to 50 positions for summer camps, such as counselors.“I like this event. So far, many of the young people seem to be interested,” she said at the hiring fair.Just a few feet away, Amber Jahns, senior recruiter with Hy-Vee, was being kept busy with young people looking for jobs. She was looking for employees for several of Hy-Vee’s stores in the Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities region. She wanted people who are dependable and committed to showing up for work. “We’re looking for outgoing, friendly people; somebody with that Hy-Vee smile,” she added.
Other employers on hand at the job fair and their goals included:
Erin Waters, a human resources recruiter with MidAmerican Energy Co., was looking for people to work in the company’s customer service department. “We’re looking for people who show commitment and flexibility,” she said.
Chef Michael Gabrielson of the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf was looking to hire banquet servers, dishwashers, housekeepers and several casino positions. “I’m looking for anyone who wants to work. … I don’t know if they (the young adults) know what they are looking for, but we can point them in the right direction,” he added.
Sunday Saunders, recruiting specialist with Harris Pizza, said she was at the fair to hire at least four to five workers at all of the Harris Pizza locations in the region, plus some management positions. “I’m looking for people who can make eye contact. People who can communicate. I’m looking for a willingness to learn,” she said.
Many of the young jobseekers said they liked the event, and found it very helpful in their job searches.For instance, Emily Kuriger, 19, of Colona, and a student at Black Hawk College, was open to all job opportunities. “I’m looking at everything. … It’s really nice here. The people are nice and have a lot of information,” she said.Potential summer employees and employers also filled the Vibrant Arena at the Mark in downtown Moline on Tuesday, Feb. 28, for the Quad Cities College Career Fair. At that event, Jack Leslie, a junior at Western Illinois University, was searching for a business internship job for the summer. He said he believes the job-hunting environment may be changing a little, but there are still many jobs for people who want to work.“I think the remote jobs, jobs working from home, are drying up. There seems to be more competition for jobs. ... But there’s still a lot of opportunity for jobs here,” he added.Another job hunter – Chris Bridich, a sophomore at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, was at the career fair, looking for an internship for the summer of 2024. “I’m here trying to get my foot in the door and see what’s here,” he said.At least some of the employers at the Moline event didn’t want job-seekers like Mr. Bridich to wait a year before getting that foot in the door. They are ready to hire now.“There’s a lot of demand for our work. We have a lot of work,” said Sara Sokolik of East Moline Glass. The local company was at the job fair looking for project managers and interns.Not too far away from East Moline Glass’ table, Kim Weekley of Renewal by Andersen was looking for workers to start immediately because the company that specializes in providing windows and doors is "growing by leaps and bounds.” Renewal by Andersen currently is building a new $10 million facility on the north edge of Davenport. During the groundbreaking ceremony last fall, Sam Heer, owner and president of Renewal by Andersen, said the company will go from about 25 full-time employees to about 60 at the new facility. “We want to be the best place for people to work. … We are in a war for talent,” he added.That war – especially for summer employees – appears to be largely focused on getting students and young people into the workforce. But some places are also looking to get older people and retirees to return to work. For instance, at the Palmer Hills Golf Course, Mr. Hickey expects to hire about five students and 12 retirees for seasonal work.The retirees are attracted to the Palmer Hills jobs because of the flexible schedules, and the job offers free golf privileges at the course.Mr. Hickey said he likes to hire retirees because they do a great job and always show up for work. “They have a lifetime of skills that translate well into the problem-solving aspects of golf maintenance. They are reliable and take pride in the quality of their work,” he added.
