Even where wages are higher, jobs also apparently outnumber job seekers.
Rich Thorn, of the Utah Associated General Contractors, said just about every company in his group has a worker shortage — and they’ve resorted to unusual means to get people.
“We’re seeing, for the first time in a long time, signing bonuses,” he said. Some companies are “kinda poaching other folks’ employees.” He’s heard of a welder receiving $10,000 to sign in with a company.
On the low end of the wage scale, he said some construction jobs pay between $60,000 and $75,000 a year—while other people can earn six figures.
To get the jobs, he suggested people visit contractors’ offices. You will have to submit to a drug test and criminal background check.
But Thorn said, even if you fail the drug test, try again in three months, or even less.
