Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! is combatting the childcare crisis by holding a childcare industry virtual job fair on February 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Childcare providers are desperately seeking talent, much like many other employers. They can offer more openings for children when fully staffed, allowing more Upper Peninsula families to get back to work.
The U.P. lost ten percent of its childcare providers during the pandemic. In a recent survey, seventy-five percent of employers said they have experienced worker absences or tardiness due to a lack of adequate childcare, and another thirty-six percent have lost workers. This event aims to meet the needs of working parents seeking care for their children.
“We hear from local employers daily about needing workers, but the workers can’t find childcare,” said Seth Harris, Communications Coordinator with U.P. Michigan Works! “Efforts to attract new talent to U.P. employers are stifled by the lack of childcare, and the lack of childcare is a primary barrier to job seekers getting and keeping a job. We know that there are at least seventy full-time openings for childcare workers and more than one-hundred part-time openings.”
U.P. Michigan Works! is joining forces with the State of Michigan and Great Start to Quality to attack this issue head on. They are bringing community organizations, childcare providers, and qualified job seekers together at this free event on February 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
To learn more about the event, employers and job seekers can visit upmichiganworks.org/childcarevirtual-job-fair 2022 or call Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! at 800-285-9675.
Job seekers with a background in childcare or an interest in entering the field are encouraged to attend. Select employers at this event will be offering sign-on bonuses up to $1,000. To sign up for the event, go to upmichiganworks.org/childcare-virtual-job-fair-2022. If you need more information about the event or how to use the virtual platform, reach out to Michigan Works! at 800-285-9675.
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