Wisconsin’s unemployment rate last month fell to its lowest level in more than 16 years. Figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show Wisconsin had a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate last month of 3.7 percent, which was the lowest it’s been since November of 2000.
State Representative Gary Tauchen says the drop illustrates the pro-growth agenda for the state is working, however, there still are many positions to fill.
“Right now we have 98,000 jobs available in the state of Wisconsin, but you have to have the right skill set in order to be able to get those jobs,” Tauchen stated. “When you have nearly 100,000 jobs available, we do have some stressors in the state and we have to be able to fill those positions.”
One of the problems Tauchen identifies is the continuing retirement of the Baby Boomer generation all across the country.
“The Baby Boomers are retiring at a rate of 10,000 a day and that’s going to happen for the next 13 years,” said Tauchen. “We’re going to be in a crunch because we’re graduating 58,000 high school students a year.”
Right now, there will be a challenge to find people to fill those positions and it has forced legislators to get creative.
“That’s why the governor and the lieutenant governor are working on a lot of projects to bring people from the corrections system, to get people treated for drugs and mental illness, and finding ways to improve their lives, while at the same time are providing people to work in the positions we have available in the state,” Tauchen said.
He expects this to be on ongoing project for state legislators in Wisconsin.
Tauchen also made note that prospective job seekers can find available jobs online at the Department of Workforce Development website at job center of Wisconsin dot com. www.jobcenterofWisconsin.com