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Hal Muetzel, owner and operator of Express Employment Professionals, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Located at 124 Main Street in Oxford, Express Employment Professionals is a staffing company focused on helping people find jobs and providing workforce solutions to businesses. Services include a full range of employment solutions, including full-time, temporary and part-time employment in a wide range of industries.
The staffing company is available to assist you in your job search and has the means to conduct the majority of the employment process, including an initial interview, remotely.
Following up on a Town Talk interview conducted in April, Muetzel said the job market situation is starting to improve slowly but surely.
“I think we are starting to see things slowly come to life,” said Muetzel. “A lot of employees in the area are taking a wait-and-see attitude, so not really taking on new staff at this point and looking at where their orders are and where they will be in the next 30, 60 and 90 days.”
Previously “holding his breath” for the April job report, Muetzel said it was startling to see the number of Americans currently unemployed.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ recently released April 2020 employment report, total nonfarm payroll employment fell by 20.5 million people, while the unemployment rate rose to 14.7 percent. This sharp decline in employment is mainly contributed to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bureau also reported that unemployment rose in all major industry sectors, with the leisure and hospitality industry facing particularly heavy job losses.
“The job report shows April was a very tough month for everyone – community and nationwide,” stated Muetzel. “Unemployment is the highest it has been in 75 years.”
While some businesses such as Walmart, Amazon and home improvement companies have weathered the storm well and, in some instances, have even seen growth, Muetzel said other industries such as food and travel have not been as fortunate.
“The food industry is a very chaotic situation right now with food processors trying to get things to market but not having all the tools in their toolbox as far as restaurants, schools and large facilities to buy their products. The travel industry, including lodging and transportation, will also be slow to recover as people start to look at how they are going to travel, how close they will sit to each other, etc.”
Muetzel explained industries deemed “essential” by the government, including manufacturing, distribution, food, pharmaceutical, logistics, infrastructure and healthcare, are still the best bet for employment opportunities at this time.
For assistance in finding employment, Express Employment Professionals can be reached by phone at (919) 693-1730 or online at www.expresspros.com/oxfordnc/
To hear the interview with Muetzel in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
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