Despite the lowest statewide unemployment rate since the start of the pandemic, Treasure Coast employers are putting out the “Help Wanted” signs, in time to catch high school and college graduates or anyone looking for a career change. 

“We have 500 jobs that are available in a database for our graduates,” said Calvin Williams, advising and career services director at Indian River State College. “It’s just a matter of graduates figuring out what they want to do. Sometimes they don’t know what to pick from, but we advise them to identify their passion and go towards that.”

Statewide in April, the unemployment rate was 3%, with the Treasure Coast counties posting lower rates than that, according to the Floridspan Depspanrtment of Economic Development. Martin County was down to 2%, while Indian River and St. Lucie each had 2.7%.

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At IRSC, Williams and other educators are hoping recent graduates aren’t taking the summer off, as far as starting their job hunts.

“We’re trying to get them to start earlier,” as in, well before they graduate, Williams said. “It’s better to start early. A lot of them get a lot of confidence that they have this degree and the jobs will be there.” 

Employers and local governments are using apprentice programs to help willing prospective workers who lack the precise skills to segue into needed positions. 

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In Martin County, the Chamber of Commerce has used federal COVID-19 cash, provided to the Martin County Commission, for an apprenticeship program set up through the end of the year. Cspanreer Connect Mspanrtin began connecting job seekers and employers in the spring. 

Statewide, a partnership between the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and CareerSource Florida has created Apprentice Floridspan. 

The Treasure Coast chapter of CspanreerSource held a virtual job fair for the program on June 3. Highlighted career opportunities included health care, heating and air conditioning, information technology, hospitality and advanced manufacturing. 

Both programs provide paid training for a few weeks before the employer decides whether to hire the trainees full-time. 

And for an in-person job search option, CareerSource Research Coast and Port St. Lucie are hosting a job fair at the Port St. Lucie Community Center on June 29 featuring employment opportunities across the Treasure Coast.

The employers seeking applicants include FCC Environmental Services Florida, Southern Eagle Distributing, Wickshire Senior Living, Bankers Life, A-1 Industries, Tail Gators Brews & Grill, DM Food of Port St. Lucie, Palm City Millwork, N2 Kitchens and Baths, Regina Providing Care, Coca-Cola and several municipalities.