Alternative Energy, Uncategorized

US solar jobs grew 20 percent in 2013

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According to the National Solar Jobs Census 2013, released by The Solar Foundation, the U.S. solar industry employed 142,698 Americans last year. This is an increase in employment, which is significant to the solar sector for a number of reasons. First, companies employed 23,682 new workers, which represented a 19.9 percent growth over the previous year. Additionally, it means the employment rate in this industry was 10 times faster than the national average of 1.9 percent. The report also notes that this was the first time the solar industry had ever exceeded the growth projections made the year before.

Andrea Luecke, executive director and president of The Solar Foundation, said in a release that the sector has proven itself to be a strong job creator.

“The industry has grown an astounding 53 percent in the last four years alone, adding nearly 50,000 jobs,” Luecke said. “Our Census findings show that for the fourth year running, solar jobs remain well-paid and attract highly skilled workers.”

The report predicts that, within the next 12 months, employment will grow by 15.6 percent, adding more than 22,000 new positions. In addition, 45 percent of solar companies expect to experience company-wide growth during that time.

Banking, Financial Services, Lending Services, Placement Annoucements

Jon Burkhart & TRG Commercial Banking Complete Successful Search

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(Richmond, VA) January, 22 2014 –  Jon Burkhart and the Commercial Banking Team of The Richmond Group USA (TRG) are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of a Senior SBA Loan Documents Manager search for a successful, established and quickly growing bank in North Carolina. 

Our client company called us with an extremely urgent need to fill this role with a senior SBA professional that was very experienced in SBA 7a and 504 loan document management. This senior manager needed to not only have an above-average working knowledge of SBA documentation and compliance, but also needed to be well-versed in Laserpro and FiServ. 

When they reached out to us, they had been looking for the right manager, unsuccessfully, for over 11 months.  Due to specific qualifications this role required, a comprehensive national search was conducted to uncover and attract a pool of qualified candidates.  We were able to identify the right professional within a matter of days from our substantial pool of contacts, referrals and candidates.  

The new Senior SBA Loan Documents Manager will have an immediate impact on the team, having been first tasked with bringing all SBA Loan Documents in-house.  She is excited about the new opportunity and is enthusiastic about growing with the bank as they look ahead to a banner year in 2014.  With a very unique and hard-to-find skill set, this bank is extremely happy to have finally found someone that can allow them to take their business to the next level, and the candidate has found a home where she can flourish a make a significant, highly visible and positive impact.  

As your business continues to grow, so does your need for talented individuals. What are you doing today to secure the future talent needs?

Should you desire additional information about this successful search or about our firm please contact Jon Burkhart and the Commercial Banking division at 804-285-2071 or email Jon at jonb@richgroupusa.com

Uncategorized

Restaurant industry cooks up strong sales growth

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Although conditions in the restaurant industry have been challenging during the past six years, that hasn’t stopped the nation’s restaurateurs from cooking up a storm in both their kitchens and balance sheets. According to Hospitality Technology, the restaurant industry will experience its fifth consecutive year of sales growth in 2014, highlighting the resiliency and creativity of the sector.

Data from the National Restaurant Association revealed that industry sales are projected to exceed $683 billion this year, an increase of 3.6 percent from 2013’s figures of $659 billion.

In addition to the robust predictions for sales in the restaurant industry, 2014 will also mark the 15th straight year in which employment within the sector has outpaced overall employment trends. At present, the restaurant industry is the nation’s second-largest private-sector area of employment, with approximately 990,000 establishments employing a total of more than 13.5 million workers – almost one-tenth of the nation’s workforce.

According to the Los Angeles Times, technology is playing an increasingly important role in how consumers choose restaurants. Around 20 percent of customers told the National Restaurant Association that technology influences their dining decisions, and several major chains, including Applebee’s and Sonic, are introducing new devices, such as table-side tablets for customers and touch-screen ordering systems.

Accounting, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Placement Annoucements

Krissy Whitaker & TRG Accounting and Finance Complete Successful Search

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(Richmond, VA) January, 8 2014 – Krissy Whitaker and the Accounting & Finance Search Division are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of our recent search for a VP of Accounting and Finance.  This search was conducted for our client, who is a logistics subsidiary of a trusted global carrier with annual revenue exceeding $7 billion that operates a fleet of more than 500 vessels.

While this search was national, the new VP of Accounting and Finance will be based in Richmond, VA.

Our search was focused on identifying a true accounting professional with both the technical expertise and the strategic vision to take the organization to the next level and maximize utilization of resources to increase productivity and profitability of operations.   The new VP of Accounting and Finance is an experienced financial executive and a certified public accountant with broad involvement in the manufacturing, insurance and distribution industries. A proven team builder and team leader, who works effectively with sales, marketing, and operational personnel to build value across functional boundaries.

With significant experience managing accounting, reporting and finance functions of both public and private international companies; he will become an integral player in the growth and prosperity of the team and the overall future success of the organization.   Should you desire additional information about this successful search or about our firm, please contact Krissy Whitaker, Director of the Accounting & Finance Division at 804-285-2071 or email Krissy at krissy@richgroupusa.com. 

Mining

Mining and logging fields open more job opportunities across the US

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Even though information technology jobs appear to be sprouting up left and right across the United States, some of the more traditional American sectors are also experiencing significant growth. Recently, employment opportunities have been expanding in the mining, logging and construction fields, employing more and more Americans in scattered locations throughout the nation.

According to Business First, these industries, which have been somewhat overlooked as of late due to increased interest in exploring alternative energies, have developed at a rapid rate in the Louisville, Ky., metro area within the last year alone. From October 2012 to 2013, the mining, logging and construction fields added 1,400 jobs to the workforce. This gain represents a 6 percent increase in employment over the course of a year. This rise could be an encouraging sign for the area, as it continues to recover from the positions lost because of the Great Recession.

Kentucky is not the only state undergoing expansion within these fields. The Mail Tribune reported that the highest gains in Oregon employment over the past four years have been in the mining and logging industries. Within this timeframe, these fields have expanded by 27.3 percent. On top of that, this upward growing trend is not expected to slow any time soon. With a rising number of local manufacturers requiring wood to produce their goods, demand for these sectors’ services is only expected to grow.

Healthcare Insurance, Healthcare Services, Insurance, Managed Care, Monthly BLS Report, US News

Attracting Top Talent

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In the ever-changing managed care landscape you never know what tomorrow will bring; Obamacare, reimbursement cuts, mergers and acquisitions. The only constant in the world of healthcare is change. It is important to have a strong message in the marketplace of why your organization is one that the top talent would like to work for. Some tips of how to attract top talent.

  • Have a strong outward message of what differentiates you as a company. Think of top talent as potentials clients that you are trying to win. Sell your strengths.
  • Develop a reasonable career path (succession planning). One way to get top talent is to show them how and where they will be able to grow professionally.
  • Be competitive with compensation. In order to pry a competitors top talent away, you must be able to put an attractive offer together. Keep in mind that they may be leaving money on the table. Be creative with sign-on bonuses, equity, and guarantees.

It truly is a talent war out there. Candidates aren’t looking for what they already have at their current employer.

Happy Holiday’s!!!