Local schools working hard to attract quality job candidates
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Through job fairs, recruitment and incentives, local school districts continue to dig out from under a labor shortage.
The Richmond County School System held a job fair Wednesday, and Columbia County is holding one Thursday.
At the Richmond County job fair, recruiters and hiring managers were on site for people to come interview and learn about open positions.
LABOR SHORTAGE:
- According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce1.95 million workers were gone from the workforce in May 2023 compared to February 2020. And Georgia has 54 workers available for every 100 open jobs.
“We have some teaching positions, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodians, lunchroom positions, are the main ones today because school opens in just a few weeks,” said Melissa Shepard, director of human resources for the district.
Especially important positions to fill are special education teachers and bus drivers.
Right now., there are at least 100 open teacher positions.
“Our goal is to make sure we are fully staffed by the end of the school year,” Shepard said.
Job fairs help toward that goal.
“This helps tremendously,” Shepard said. “The word has gotten out, and it’s exciting to see so many people want to come work for Richmond County schools.”
At Wednesday’s job fair, the district was able to fill eight of the 250 positions listed on its website.
In Columbia County, the job fair will be much the same.
The district is hiring teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, nutrition assistants and custodians.
Staff will be on hand to provide an overview of the job description and answer any questions.
Qualified candidates may receive an on-site interview at the event that will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the student complex, 4395 Riverwatch Parkway.
Among the incentives for bus drivers, commercial driver’s licenses aren’t required for you to be hired. The district offers paid, in-house training for qualified candidates to earn that license.
For a complete list of job opportunities with the Columbia County School District, visit www.ccboe.net/careers. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply online, and submit their resume to [email protected] or apply on-site at the job fair.
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