"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 here wonder what we're missing.
West Virginia had a 7.1% job opening rate in the latest month studied, and a 7.71% job opening rate over the last 12 months. In New York -- the state where employers have the least trouble hiring -- the rates were 4.8% for the month and 4.6% for the year.
"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. … 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."
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 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.