For some firms in the United States, finding the necessary number of skilled workers is continuing to hamper hiring efforts.
The Los Angeles Times reports that one such company, California Steel, is having difficulty filling 18 open positions. Even though the firm doesn't require its employees to have a college degree, they are required to have a minimum of two years training in reading, math, and writing. The source reports that another reason that firm has had issues is based in the 24-hour work cycle, which many are unwilling to work around.
Calfornia Steel's executive vice president of finance and administration Brett Guge, says that the lack of qualified candidates has been an issue for quite some time, despite the fact that so many people are eager for employment.
"It's been a chronic problem for many years," Guge said, in an interview with the paper. "You would think it'd be somewhat easier in this economy."
While California's unemployment rate of 11 percent remains significantly higher than the national average of 8.2 percent, the total number of claims went down in April, according to the state Employment Development Department numbers.