×

Second application drive announced

Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! and the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce hosted the first Baraga Application Drive on Sept. 30 to match job seekers with open positions. This is a new approach to engage with the workforce. Employers did not need to be on site for this event. A packet with all the submitted positions from Baraga employers was created, which included a blank application for job seeker attendees to complete. They then identified which positions they would like to apply for, and after the event UP Michigan Works! forwarded the details to the employers.

Among the 28 area employers, there were 120 positions listed. Out of the 22 interested job seekers that attended, one completed an application and several others took the packet and application with them and planned to return them the following week. A large number of job openings remain. The next Application Drive will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. to continue to assist local employers with their workforce needs. The Application Drive will be held in the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce Conference Room at 1 N. Main Street in L’Anse. To register, contact Savannah at UP MIchigan Works! at sdougherty@upmichiganworks.org or 906.280.0216.

Of interest is the following feedback that was received at the event, including the challenges that candidates are facing that DO want to work but have covid-related hurdles such as children being sent home from school unexpectedly to quarantine. Transportation was also a severe barrier that was

reported which prevents candidates from applying to jobs. Another suggestion made for those employers that have full-time positions listed was to consider splitting the role into two part-time positions. There is a section of the workforce that is qualified and interested in working, however with their current life situations, they are looking for part-time roles.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today