UPS expects to hire over 900 in SWFL despite low unemployment

Florida is one of many states experiencing low unemployment, but what does that mean for companies that need workers? UPS says it should have no problem hiring people, especially not in Southwest Florida.

According to a survey by WalletHub, 23 states had unemployment claims last week that were lower than the previous week, and the Sunshine State was one of them; our unemployment claims went down by 27% compared to this same time last year. Many companies are striving to offer benefits and better pay than their competitors and bring in more workers in time for the holiday season. There are currently 6 million Americans out of work.

UPS says it expects to hire more than 900 seasonal employees in the Naples and Fort Myers areas alone. Company officials say that although they’re hiring for seasonal positions, most of those seasonal hires end up permanent employees.

“The most exciting part about this is nearly a third of our current permanent full-time employees started as holiday peak-season employees,” said UPS spokeswoman Lizzy Crouse. “There is an opportunity for this part-time seasonal job to turn into a permanent full-time career with UPS.”

UPS also says it can take as little as 25 minutes between filling out an online application and getting a job offer.

“We are starting on peak season hiring now,” Crouse said. “Our volume starts to pick up and nearly doubles. We need this extra help to support our full-time employees, and so we start hiring now our employees’ training safely and correctly so they are able to help with the holiday volume.”

Drivers get at least $21 per hour.