I wonder if Disney will raise their pay at all in response to this...
ORLANDO - Central Florida's drum-tight labor market prompted SeaWorld Orlando to raise entry-level pay to $7 an hour, a 20-cent increase, as the region's third-largest attraction prepares to add staff for the spring and summer tourist season.
In addition to the base-wage increase, effective this week, the water park attraction will create a second pay grade for entry-level workers, giving them an opportunity to earn more before qualifying for better paying positions. About a third of the park's 3,900 workers are in the entry pay grade.
"The unemployment rate in Orlando and the rest of Florida is very low," said Christine O'Neal, the attraction's vice president for human resources. "In order to hire and promote the best people, this is simply what we need to do."
SeaWorld plans to hire about 1,300 workers during the spring and summer.
"This is our heavy recruiting season," O'Neal said. "It's difficult. This is the tightest labor market my staff can remember."
In December, the most recent month that Florida labor market statistics were reported, the state had a 3.3 percent unemployment rate -- the lowest since 1976. Orlando's rate was even lower, 2.8 percent.
"It's at the point where employers have to actively recruit entry-level workers," said Warren May, spokesman for the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation. "Basically, anyone who wants to work right now can get a job."
Florida's minimum wage rose to $6.40 an hour in January, but May said few jobs pay that little.
"We're hearing about employers paying $12 or $13 an hour for entry-level people," May said. "Market forces are taking over, which is very good news for people looking for work."
Central Florida's other tourist attractions are also grappling with the labor shortage.
"It's always a challenge," Universal Orlando spokesman Tom Schroder said. "It requires that we constantly review our offerings to remain as competitive as possible. We work with senior citizens; we do job fairs at high schools and colleges."
The attraction plans to hire 1,000 workers during the spring and again during the summer to augment its staff of 13,000. Universal's wage scale starts at $6.75 an hour, and employment includes benefits such as flexible hours and health insurance.
Walt Disney World, Central Florida's largest employer with 58,000 workers, also says it is studying the market, looking for ways to stay competitive.
"We offer job-specific premiums," Disney spokesman Jacob DiPietre said. "Sometimes we offer hiring and job retention bonuses."
DiPietre said entry level pay varies according to the position.
Smaller attractions are also feeling the pressure. Gatorland, with about 100 employees, pays a minimum of $7 an hour but offers employees commissions that range from 10 percent to 20 percent of wages, Gatorland President Mark McHugh said.
"This really isn't a new issue," McHugh said. "We've been looking at 3.5 percent to 4 percent unemployment rate in Orlando for a long time. And we are always competing with the big theme parks for employees."
McHugh said more applicants are looking for part-time work, a trend he attributes to the region's rising cost of living.
"We have a number of people looking for second jobs," McHugh said. "I think it really has to do with the dramatic rise in the cost of everything in Central Florida.".
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-hiring0806mar08,0,213001.story?track=rss
ORLANDO - Central Florida's drum-tight labor market prompted SeaWorld Orlando to raise entry-level pay to $7 an hour, a 20-cent increase, as the region's third-largest attraction prepares to add staff for the spring and summer tourist season.
In addition to the base-wage increase, effective this week, the water park attraction will create a second pay grade for entry-level workers, giving them an opportunity to earn more before qualifying for better paying positions. About a third of the park's 3,900 workers are in the entry pay grade.
"The unemployment rate in Orlando and the rest of Florida is very low," said Christine O'Neal, the attraction's vice president for human resources. "In order to hire and promote the best people, this is simply what we need to do."
SeaWorld plans to hire about 1,300 workers during the spring and summer.
"This is our heavy recruiting season," O'Neal said. "It's difficult. This is the tightest labor market my staff can remember."
In December, the most recent month that Florida labor market statistics were reported, the state had a 3.3 percent unemployment rate -- the lowest since 1976. Orlando's rate was even lower, 2.8 percent.
"It's at the point where employers have to actively recruit entry-level workers," said Warren May, spokesman for the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation. "Basically, anyone who wants to work right now can get a job."
Florida's minimum wage rose to $6.40 an hour in January, but May said few jobs pay that little.
"We're hearing about employers paying $12 or $13 an hour for entry-level people," May said. "Market forces are taking over, which is very good news for people looking for work."
Central Florida's other tourist attractions are also grappling with the labor shortage.
"It's always a challenge," Universal Orlando spokesman Tom Schroder said. "It requires that we constantly review our offerings to remain as competitive as possible. We work with senior citizens; we do job fairs at high schools and colleges."
The attraction plans to hire 1,000 workers during the spring and again during the summer to augment its staff of 13,000. Universal's wage scale starts at $6.75 an hour, and employment includes benefits such as flexible hours and health insurance.
Walt Disney World, Central Florida's largest employer with 58,000 workers, also says it is studying the market, looking for ways to stay competitive.
"We offer job-specific premiums," Disney spokesman Jacob DiPietre said. "Sometimes we offer hiring and job retention bonuses."
DiPietre said entry level pay varies according to the position.
Smaller attractions are also feeling the pressure. Gatorland, with about 100 employees, pays a minimum of $7 an hour but offers employees commissions that range from 10 percent to 20 percent of wages, Gatorland President Mark McHugh said.
"This really isn't a new issue," McHugh said. "We've been looking at 3.5 percent to 4 percent unemployment rate in Orlando for a long time. And we are always competing with the big theme parks for employees."
McHugh said more applicants are looking for part-time work, a trend he attributes to the region's rising cost of living.
"We have a number of people looking for second jobs," McHugh said. "I think it really has to do with the dramatic rise in the cost of everything in Central Florida.".
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-hiring0806mar08,0,213001.story?track=rss
