A similar sign will be that a smaller percentage of applicants will qualify to do certain jobs. For instance, in some areas, there aren’t enough trained nurses for companies to hire. Pay is not an issue for the locale. Training is. The needs of the employers have outpaced the training of the workforce.
There also fewer people entering the workforce compared to those retiring from it. In June, data comparing last year to this showed a growth of 1.2 percent in people looking for work. That number already fell to .52 percent in September. The population is growing, but the percentage of growth isn’t keeping up with demand of U.S. employers. Likewise, a lower immigration rate means fewer workers available.
As employers start to feel the crunch of a lack of employees, those who couldn’t find jobs before might benefit. Persons with criminal records, for instance, might find new opportunities as employers lower their standards for hiring.
