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Airport employees are like ocean waves: If you miss one, just wait a minute - another will come along.

That's pure fiction. The truth is that recruiting, hiring, and keeping valuable employees has gotten considerably more difficult over the last couple of years.

Companies are recruiting from a smaller (and still shrinking!) labor pool to fill significantly more jobs. Wages are going up and competition for workers is making it harder to keep the good ones.

Fact: Washington State's unemployment rate went from 6.2% in October 2004 to 5.2% in October of this year. That translates to 12% or 20,000 fewer people looking for work this year.

Fact: In the past 12 months, employers in King & Snohomish counties have added 52,400 jobs (a 3.8% increase over the number they employed in Oct 2005).

Fact: Several airport employers have recently raised the starting wages for their entry-level positions 20%-26% in an effort to attract the best applicants.

Fact: Many airport companies have employee turnover rates of 50% to well over 100%. Research indicates it costs $1,000-$2,000 to hire and train each new worker.

Luckily there are easy steps you can take to find and keep your best staff working for you. If you are feeling the squeeze of trying to retain your employees in the current labor market, join us for our upcoming Employer Seminar:

Strategies for Retaining Valuable Employees
Thursday, Dec. 7, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Sea-Tac Airport Theater

Come learn some easy and practical steps you can take to improve your bottom line by hanging on to good employees and reducing the high cost of excessive turnover.

To sign up and save a space at the workshop, call or email Ruth Westerbeck at 206.835.7506 or westerbeck.r@portseattle.org.

About Airport Jobs
Airport Jobs is a complete job listing and employment information center serving over 100 Sea-Tac Airport and related employers. We have the tools to help you handle your company’s recruitment, selection, training and other human resource needs. Most services are free.

Airport Jobs staff are ready to help your organization with current and future recruitment needs. Contact Ruth Westerbeck to take advantage of Airport Jobs Employer Services (phone: 206-835-7506, email: westerbeck.r@portseattle.org). Learn more by visiting www.airportjobs.org.