According to Alabama Secretary of Labor Fitzgerald Washington, despite the economic downturn tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still many unfilled positions around the state.

Washington, whose agency has been dealing with claims tied to layoffs because of the pandemic, also has been working to find skilled labor for those open positions.

During an interview with Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show,” Washington said dealing with the problem was part of the effort to bring new business to Alabama and help existing employers.

“Obviously, unemployment being center stage right now, with so many people that are mass-laid off, we are still working with employers to help them find skilled labor for those open jobs that they have,” he explained. “Our administration has been working tirelessly to make sure we continue our recruitment efforts to bring new industry to the state, as well as help existing companies expand operations. We talk with employers all the time, and employers are still looking for people to fill open positions. What we do is we have to make sure we’ve got good communications to make those connections with who are looking for work with the available jobs that we know are out there.”

He pointed to transportation, utilities and hospitality as areas where more workers are needed in Alabama.

“You can look at the job gains that we experienced in November,” Washington said. “There were over 6,000 jobs that were created over the month — from November to December 2020. Those jobs included transportation, utilities and hospitality. Those were the job gains that were kind of leading the way. There is a plethora, a variety of open positions all across the board. What we suggest job seekers do, as well as those who are underemployed — those who are working but looking to upgrade to a better job — to reach out to one of our career centers. We manage over 53 career centers throughout the state. Our professional staffs are there now working five days a week. We are also in touch with all the employers. Reach out to our staff. We can do an assessment to find the best opportunity for you to improve your quality of life.”

Washington encouraged those to visit his agency’s website, labor.alabama.gov, for more information.

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.