By Jennifer Harris, Manpower Group
Even though unemployment has ticked up in Newport News, many employers are still struggling to find the people they need. On paper, there should be plenty of candidates. But anyone who’s tried to hire lately knows it doesn’t quite work that way.
Job seekers are being more selective. People want pay that aligns with the cost of living, real benefits and workplaces that feel healthy and supportive. And honestly, that’s understandable. Folks aren’t taking jobs that don’t genuinely improve their day to day lives.
Meanwhile, the local labor market has been unpredictable. Key industries like shipbuilding, port operations, healthcare and manufacturing continue to need workers, but the overall hiring climate shifts from month to month. That makes it harder for employers to plan — and even harder to keep positions filled consistently.
One bright spot is we’re not navigating this alone. Our Manpower Partnership continues connecting employers with job seekers who are ready to work and prepared for the roles available. And we’re fortunate to have several strong partners in the region as well. The Hampton Roads Workforce Council and Virginia Career Works both play a major role in supporting employers, offering candidate training and building pipelines for high demand industries across the 757.
These partnerships don’t solve everything, but they help close the gap between open jobs and the people who want them.
For employers, small shifts still make the biggest impact — updating pay where possible, strengthening benefits, offering more flexibility and clearly communicating what makes your workplace a good place to be. The organizations that lean into these changes are the ones that will stay competitive, no matter what the broader labor market is doing.
Jennifer Harris is market manager of Manpower Virginia, offering flexible staffing, direct hire, project staffing, on-site management and payroll processing. She can be reached at 757-873-2260 or 757-750-3469 and jennifer.harris@manpower.com.
