Employment Security Department doing more to help ag employers - July 13, 2006

06-058

Media contacts: Sheryl Hutchison, 360-902-9289
Bill Tarrow, 360-902-9376

OLYMPIA – The Employment Security Department’s efforts to help agricultural employers find workers is getting results. 

Through its WorkSource offices in 21 counties, the department has already provided more than 13,000 job referrals to growers, compared to some 10,000 a year ago. 

“Between the federal debate over foreign workers and freak weather systems that can wipe out crops, agricultural employers face a lot of uncertainty,” said Karen Lee, commissioner for Employment Security.  “We don’t want to add to that uncertainty. Instead, we’re trying harder than ever to provide reliable and steady service in meeting their workforce needs.”

According to Lee, ESD has focused both on increasing the number of job orders that growers file with WorkSource and on recruiting a larger pool of experienced farm workers. As part of the effort, the department has opened temporary satellite offices near major farming areas, expanded hours of operations and deployed more staff to farms and within the community where workers gather. 

“Employment Security is working to establish a real presence in the ag community,” said Mike Gempler, of the Washington Growers Association.  “They’re working face-to-face with growers and know where the workers are on a daily basis to help facilitate the labor exchange.  It’s been a step forward in the right direction.” 

Employment Security also has tried alternative approaches to find workers, including combing the unemployment-insurance roles to find unemployed ag workers to refer to job openings, recruiting non-traditional farm workers such as students and housewives, and referring welfare applicants who want to work instead of applying for public assistance. 

Because hiring records lag by weeks and sometimes months, accurate data on the number of people hired through Employment Security’s agricultural initiative are not available yet.  Full results will be compiled the end of the agricultural season. 

“We know that farmers are too busy bringing in their crops right now to be bothered with our paperwork,” said Larry Sanchez, area director for WorkSource Yakima.  “Our focus right now is on connecting growers with workers faster.  Our results will be positive in the end.” 

John Verbugge, owner of Valley Fruit in Wapato, recently partnered with ESD to conduct hiring events on school campuses to recruit teens for agricultural jobs.

“Employment Security is working hard to come up with creative ways to find workers,” said Verbugge. 

“They can’t be the sole solution to our labor challenges, but every little bit helps.”  

ESD’s agricultural initiative will run through December 2006.  Agricultural employers needing employment assistance should contact their local WorkSource center.  Locations are posted online at go2worksource.com. 

WorkSource is a partnership of business, government agencies, colleges and non-profits that offer career services for job seekers and business.