The latest available local unemployment figures are for August; that rate improved since July in the Escondido area at 6.4 percent and continues to be lower than it was in the beginning of the pandemic. There is still a long way to go to reach the pre-pandemic unemployment rate in Escondido of 3.3 percent in August of 2019.
It doesn’t take a statistician to see there are plenty of jobs to be filled in Escondido. Job boards are bursting with positions to be filled and businesses all over are posting signs in their windows looking for help. Some even post wages and salaries and we’re not talking minimum wage. Signing bonuses are being offered by more than a few.
The San Diego County unemployment rate was 6.6 percent in August, down from 6.9 percent in July. That reflected significant improvement from August 2020, when the unemployment rate stood at 10.8 percent.
September local data will be released shortly, and we’ll look for any improvements in our region, North Inland County as well as Escondido specifically.
Where are all the workers? Has the cost of housing coupled with inflation forced our labor force to flee California?
The Chamber’s recent Job Fair series was able to fill over 65+ job openings and maybe it’s time to revive the series.
Employers are caught between supply chain disruption inventory challenges, holiday shopping season demand and a dearth of employable staff. And then you add the Amazon effect on retail, and it’s clear to see we have a problem.
There are plenty of businesses in our community hurting. Retail and Restaurants can’t find staff. If ever there is a time to support local businesses, it’s now. Government bailouts via low interest loans and grants will eventually stop and businesses will be back to fend for themselves.
The law of the jungle, the adaptation and survival of the strongest, the one with the ability to get used to the changes and situations that are seen, will reign in our business community.
The law of nature will allow only the strongest to survive and when consumers have fewer choices it can lead to price fixing and runaway inflation. Everything is connected, 6 degrees of separation has never rung truer than now.
Now to just find a vetted directory of local business…………
