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Employers finding it hard to find and retain workers Tuesday May 23, 2017 at 5:04 PM May 23, 2017 at 5:04 PM Greg Stiles Mail Tribune @GregMTBusiness Jackson County's civilian labor force of 102,707 is the sum of those with jobs and those seeking jobs. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics determined the county's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in April, down from 5.8 percent a year ago. But the 98,303 people punching time clocks simply aren't enough to keep the wheels of commerce turning. "It's a bit of a challenge in almost all areas," said Nikki Jones of Express Employment in Medford. "Whether it's entry-level manufacturing or clerical and skill positions, we just don't have the numbers we need to fill all the jobs we have." Jackson County's private employers have added 1,730 jobs over the past 12 months. Yet filling new positions — and keeping the new hires — is increasingly difficult. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation's civilian workforce participation last month, for those 16 and older, was 63 percent. "A lot of people who are able to work are collecting benefits or withdrew themselves from the workforce," Jones said. The good news, of course, is that if you are looking for work, the odds are in your favor. With colleges across the nation ending their academic year, students returning to the Rogue Valley will benefit from the "Help Wanted" signs and posts. "I wish I could say we have a flood of people returning, but it takes a lot of work on our part," said Jones, who visited Crater and Grants Pass high school campuses this week to explain the opportunities for summer employment. She said college students finding work through her firm regularly return. "It's great for those working in the summer, but employers still need full-time workers when they go back to school," Jones said. Retention is an ordeal in tight labor markets, she said. "For some of the lower-level jobs, people will take the job because they need work, and immediately begin looking elsewhere. If it's too tedious, too physical, repetitive or boring, they will leave." Payroll employment rose by 410 jobs in April spurred by seasonal hiring in the leisure and hospitality industry. Leisure and hospitality saw an increase of 330 jobs over the month. Private education and health services employment gained 120 jobs, 50 of those in health care and social assistance. — Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31