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"Within the U.S., workers are easier to find in some states than others."
That's according to WalletHub, which might win the Understatement of the Year award from employers in states like Alaska, West Virginia and South Carolina. In its report on "States Where Employers Are Struggling the Most in Hiring," the Mountain State places second.
Perhaps it is because West Virginia tends to catch up to national trends more slowly than some other states, but WalletHub's picture of the labor market will make employers wonder what the Mountain State is missing.
"National labor force participation rates are nearing pre-pandemic levels, reaching 62.8 percent in September," WalletHub says. "That puts us at just 0.5 percent below where we were at the end of 2019. Unemployment rates are lower than they were at the height of the pandemic as well, remaining between 3.4 percent and 3.8 percent so far this year.
"Plus, employees are less inclined to leave their employers now than last year, allowing companies to focus on filling new positions rather than simply backfilling them from employee turnover."
West Virginia had a 7.1 percent job opening rate in the latest month studied, and a 7.71 percent job opening rate during the last 12 months. In New York -- the state where employers have the least trouble hiring -- the rates were 4.8 percent for the month and 4.6 percent for the year.
When looking at the Tri-State Area, things are better in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Ohio ranks 34th, with a 5.9 percent job opening rate in the latest month studied, and a 6.11 job opening rate during the last 12 months. In Pennsylvania, which ranks 38th, those numbers, respectively, are 5.7 percent and 6.14 percent
"It is simple supply and demand," said Darin Gerdes, a professor at Charleston Southern University.
"After COVID, several people dropped out of the employment market. For whatever reason, they decided that they did not want to continue working, and if they had the means to exit, they did. This means that fewer workers are chasing the same number of jobs. That means employers, then, have to raise wages or provide other perks if they want to attract workers. In short, it is a buyer market for employees," Gerdes added.
Maybe, but what is the solution if the lack of employees makes it impossible for employers to have the revenue they'd need to offer more money and better incentives?
Lawmakers and economic development officials in West Virginia will have to start somewhere -- perhaps with considering whether the kinds of incentives used to attract new, large employers might also be helpful as part of a program available to the employers who are already here.
Given the sluggishness with which West Virginia's economy tends to progress, those with ideas and the means to implement them must not hesitate.