Ocala employers are continuing to put out the call for workers.
Employers across the entire city are hoping to fill job vacancies that have grown in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Along S.R. 200, virtually every business has “Now Hiring” signs posted, including Outback, Ollie’s, Texas Roadhouse, Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, and a collection of others.
The scene is no different in downtown Ocala, where multiple employers have put out the call in the wake of staff shortages.
Government and private organizations are hosting job fairs, presenting multiple opportunities for job seekers to meet face-to-face with potential employers. The College of Central Florida, Paddock Mall, and the City of Ocala have all announced that they will either host or participate in job fairs this month.
Last month, Chick-fil-A announced a reduction in their hours on account of staff shortages.
The unemployment rate in Marion County was down from 13.1% a year ago to 5.5% this past April. Compared to all metro areas in Florida, the Ocala MSA tied for the third fastest annual job growth rate in government. May figures will be available in mid-June.