Summer jobs harder to find this year

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – It is the season for temporary summer jobs. This year, some employment agencies say people are finding it harder to find summer work.

This summer break, for those looking for work, opportunities are going fast.

“People don’t always get back with us in enough time,” said Donald Kuchta, senior staffing manager at Performance Personnel, an employment agency. “We fill jobs very quickly.”

The City of Wichita said they filled their summer lifeguard positions quicker this year than in the past.

Leadership at another local employment agency says there’s a lack of entry-level and seasonal jobs.

Teachers looking for summer jobs are also feeling the pressure. Temporary jobs are already hard to find.

These jobs may not exist in 50 years

“A lot of jobs … they’re looking for people who are going to be there long term,” said Robert Castleberry, Enterprise Elementary 5th grade teacher.

One economic expert said the lack of jobs isn’t dire yet, but this is a transitional period for jobs.

“I do think it’s something that bears keeping an eye on,” said Larry Straub, Newman University Associate Professor of Management.

Larry Straub with Newman University says many factors could contribute to this.

Among them are FAFSA application failures, consequences from layoffs at Spirit Aerosystems and big box stores slashing prices nationally.

Kuchta is still hopeful things will shift in the next month or so and more jobs will open up.

“It’s the beginning of the summer, so I’m not worried, to be honest,” Kuchta said. “I think it’s gonna pick up.”

According to Straub, the shortage of job openings could be part of what he calls an economic funk because of market uncertainty. He said the long-term economic outlook is good.

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