POINT PLEASANT BEACH, N.J. (WCBS 880) — The disappointing jobs report published Friday was no surprised to businesses in the New York City area, who say they cannot find people to work.
According to the most recent report from the U.S. Labor Department, employers added just 266,000 jobs in April, which was far fewer than economists had expected.
However, employers in Point Pleasant Beach at the Jersey Shore tell WCBS 880 that they had expected a disheartening jobs report this month as they struggle to hire people for the upcoming season.
With Memorial Day weekend just three weeks away, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk business owners say they are facing a crisis.
“We still have several hundreds of positions available,” says Toby Wolf, the boardwalk’s marketing director.
She says they are looking to attract college-age workers, who would only need a job for the season before returning to campuses in the fall.
“We are looking into college students from the middle of America saying, ‘We’ll help with travel, getting here. We’ll help with lodging, things like that,’” Wolf explains.
Jenkinson’s operates amusements, arcades and stores that attract thousands of visitors every year.
Last year, they reduced hours due to labor shortage amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, they are hoping to avoid similar circumstances this year as reduced hours translated to less revenue.
Wolf says they need to start hiring more staff so they can determine operations for the summer.
“If the amusement park closes earlier, we'll know the games are gonna close a little earlier, the arcade closes a little earlier, the ice cream shop is gonna close a little earlier,” she explains.
According to the Associated Press, nearly 3 million Americans have said they are reluctant to look for work because they fear catching the virus.
Additionally, the report notes that more women are leaving the workforce, likely to take care of children.
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