Central US, Pacific US, US News

BofA hiring small business bankers

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The banking industry has faced its fair share of struggles over the past few years, needing a bailout from taxpayers and drawing the ire of many for overly risky practices. However, in recent months, some of the leading financial institutions are hiring more workers in an effort to help business owners.

In Oregon, Bank of America announced plans to hire 15 new small business bankers, with eight of the new positions for locations in the Portland area. The added staff will help entrepreneurs gain access to resources to help them stay in business and increase profits.

"Now more than ever, small business owners are turning to their bank for more than just a checking account and a line of credit," said Craig Christenson, BofA's small business banker manager for Oregon. "Business owners are looking to their banker as a dedicated resource who knows their business and can effectively navigate the unique and complex demands their company faces."

The firm is also planning on hiring workers overseas. Mother Jones reports that the bank is planning to add staff in the Philippines, where wages are significantly lower than the United States.

Central US, Pacific US, US News

IT sector accounting for more Washington state hiring

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Technology jobs have increased exponentially over the last decade, as new advancements have led to a demand for appropriately trained professionals. In Washington state, the information technology (IT) sector has been one of the biggest creators of new jobs through the last few years, and the outlook is only getting better, The Seattle Times reports.

According to the source, Washington has added more than 15,000 IT jobs since 2010, bringing the total over 400,000 total positions filled in the sector. As the source notes, the total of more than 434,000 jobs in that one sector account for 13.6 percent of the overall employment in the state.

Not only are there more jobs in IT, especially in software and computer services, the average wages are also far higher than other industries. According to a Technology Alliance study, the average wages for IT jobs in the state are just below $95,000 per year, or nearly double the $49,829 average annual income of other sectors, the news provider added.

Washington-based IT companies have additionally aided job growth in other states. Earlier this month, Kentucky-based CBS affiliate WKYT 27 reported that Seattle, Washington-based Amazon began building a new facility in Winchester, Kentucky. This project is expected to create more than 550 full-time jobs in the state.

Southeast US

Manufacturing sector employment carrying Alabama

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The southern United States have been struggling to return to pre-recession employment rates, though some sectors have experienced slight growth through the beginning of 2012. The Birmingham News recently reported that the automotive industry has been carrying Alabama's manufacturing sector thus far.

According to the news provider, the state's unemployment rate dipped again in April, dropping to 7.2 percent. This represents the most preferable figures seen since before the recession. The automotive parts manufacturing industry there increased employment by more than 13 percent last month. However, other sectors are continuing to struggle.

"Yes, absolute growth is better than the alternative," John Norris, managing director of Oakworth Capital Bank in Birmingham and economist, told the source. "However, the relative performance of the state has not been good. There have been some recent bright spots, like Hyundai adding an extra shift down in Montgomery. However, we need more of them, a lot more of them."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, April's manufacturing growth in Alabama represented an increase of 0.9 percent year-over-year, which is among the strongest increases seen. Other sectors with strong year-over-year growth in April included professional services and hospitality.

Southeast US

Call centers continue to add staff

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Call centers are a major source of employment for those with limited education in regions throughout the United States. In one recent example of this, Oklahoma-based Consumer Financial Services Corporation may be hiring as many as 2,000 new workers in North Carolina, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.

The source reports that the firm's CEO, Bill Bartmann, met with community leaders in Winston-Salem to explore possible sites for a new office. He said that salaries at the facilities would range from $35,000 to $120,000.

"I will look at each community for three main things: quality of its worker pool, quality of the call center facility and economic incentives," Bartmann said, according to the source. "Those are our criteria and needs. We're trying to find sites and communities that can meet them."

The call center sector continues to add jobs in regions throughout the country. In Kentucky, for example, Xerox plans to hire 300 new workers at its Lexington location, while AT&T plans to hire 50 employees, WSAZ-TV reports.

Southeast US

Technology field adding staff

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Providing technical support is considered by many to be a lucrative field, and some leading firms are currently in the process of bringing on new talent.

In a release, Florida-based MyTechHelp stated that it would be holding a job fair at its office in in Margate, with the goal of bringing on 50 new employees. The firm, which is a subsidiary of Saveology, will be looking for people to take on the roles of coaches, customer support technicians and managers during the May 21 event.   

"Candidates should have computer science educations and/or highly relevant professional experience related to technology," the company states. "MyTechHelp is particularly interested in individuals who already hold A+ and/or network certifications. All applicants should have a strong knowledge of computers, a passion for technology of all types and a commitment to providing superlative service."

Some of the biggest names in technology are stepping up efforts to hire people as well. Amazon recently stated its plan to bring on 1,000 new employees at its Seattle, Washington, offices, according to TechFlash.

Southeast US

More jobs flowing to Amazon

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Kentucky will soon be home to a brand new customer service center, bringing with it many new jobs as a result.

Amazon announced that it was planning to build a new facility in Winchester, and will hire 600 seasonal and 550 full-time employees by 2017. The 70,000-square-foot building will house workers to provide customer support for clients of the online retailer.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear said that he was thrilled that more people would be able to find employment with the Fortune 500 company.

"Amazon's decision to grow its Kentucky footprint is fantastic news, especially when you consider the impact of more than 1,100 full-time and seasonal jobs it will bring to the central Kentucky region," Beshear said. "Kentucky is proud to have Amazon choose Winchester for this growth opportunity and wishes them continued success and prosperity."

Many are looking to the technology industry to help spur job growth. At a recent speech at SUNY Albany, President Barack Obama said that the sector would be vital to the economic recovery of the U.S.