Print
More News

Industries Try Different Tactics To Find Workers

By Christina Haley O'Neal, posted Jun 4, 2021
Wilmington-based MCO Transport Inc. is looking to fill as many as 20 positions for its workforce. (Photo courtesy of MCO Transport)
From local restaurants to logistics, some companies are having trouble finding workers and are hosting hiring events to draw in more candidates.

Wilmington-based MCO Transport Inc. is looking to fill as many as 20 truck driver positions, said Laurie King, vice president and director of corporate relations for the trucking and warehouse company with terminal operations in Chesapeake, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; and Savannah, Georgia. 

"The trucking industry has been suffering from a labor shortage, and it just has gotten worse," King said. "There has been a difficulty in the industry for several years ... the biggest challenge has been finding qualified drivers. It's the fact that we don't get enough applications that meet our standards. But as of late, we're just not getting very many applications at all."

The COVID-19 pandemic has also impacted the shortage, she said.

The company has had its second pay increase for drivers in the past six months.

MCO Transport officials said in a news release that the company raised pay by as much as 10% across all divisions in May, the increase due to a severe labor shortage in the trucking industry on top of a "record demand in freight services."

"Under the new pay increase, new drivers can earn at least $50,000 in their first year, with top drivers grossing nearly 6 figures. All local positions pay hourly, and regional drivers earn as much as $0.47/mile with weekly home time," stated the release.

With many COVID restrictions lifted, the restaurant industry is also looking to fill more positions as the demand for service grows across the region along with the tourist season.

One chain restaurant is hosting its first-ever hiring event in Wilmington to find workers.

Texas Roadhouse, at 230 Eastwood Road, is hosting a hiring event for full- and part-time positions Monday. The company is looking for as many as 40 people, both front and back of house, company officials said in an email.

CarMax, Inc., the national used cars retailer, is hiring and hosting a curbside career date at 16 of its locations, including the Wilmington location at 6030 Market St., according to a news release.

The national used cars retailer is looking to fill 24 positions by the end of the summer at the Wilmington store, a company official said in an email. 

"The majority of open positions are for various auto service professional roles – including technicians, detailers, painters, supply and inventory associates – to help us recondition and prepare vehicles for sale." the spokesperson said. "We’re also hiring customer specialists who support local customers through the car-buying process and ensure a seamless experience."

“CarMax continues to grow and the need to produce more vehicles to keep up with anticipated consumer demand is great,” Tyrone Payton, CarMax's vice president of regional service operations, said in the company's release.

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Cfss headshots parker robert webversion 21422121214

The Latest Solar Scams and What You Can Do to Help Stop Them

Robert Parker - Cape Fear Solar Systems
Screenshot2022 01 06at338 162234623

Food is the Foundation for Prosperous Communities

Girard Newkirk - Genesis Block
Untitleddesign4

Paving the Way to Better City Streets

Tony Caudle - City of Wilmington

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

NCino's Fourth-quarter Earnings Signal Rebound From Liquidity Crisis

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 27, 2024

In The Current Issue

INFO JUNKIE: Jack Fleming

Jack Fleming, owner of Socialry Marketing & Scourz and emcee for 1 Million Cups Wilmington, shares his media and tech picks....


Berries, A Battlefield And More In Pender

The N.C. Blueberry Festival, founded in 2003, is one of several events in Pender County that have drawn more attention over the years....


Topsail-area Realtors Share Updates

Pender County Realtors recently shared updates about the coastal market at an event hosted by the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Associa...

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments