What is the Job Center?

What is the Job Center? We are a light industrial staffing company that is dedicated to changing lives! We connect you with companies that are ready to hire. Whether you are looking for warehouse, distribution, forklift, or other general labor positions, we are here to help you find a job where you can make an impact. We have 22 centers located across 12 states and are only continuing to grow! Click here to view our locations page or Click here to view our JOBS page!

What does it cost me?

As a potential associate, it costs you nothing. We develop a contract with the companies we work with, allowing us to provide a service that is free of charge to you.

Where are you located?

We have 22 centers located across 12 states! View our locations tab by clicking here to get the address of the closest center location to you!

What are the center hours?

The Job Center hours are 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, with some centers closed from 12 pm to 1 pm for lunch, as well as some centers having Saturday hours. Check the local Google listing or Facebook page for each center for the most updated hours.

You can fill out an application at any of our Job Center locations or on our website! If you apply online, you will be contacted by a recruiter to schedule a time for you to come into our center to complete the application process. Click here to view our locations page or Click here to view our JOBS page!

Start with The Job Center today!

Why February Is Critical For Strengthening Your Workforce Pipeline

Kendall Gerdeman

In late 2025, the average U.S. manufacturer reported about 4.2% of roles unfilled, with nearly 25% reporting vacancy rates above 5%. February is often when production goals become clearer, overtime begins to increase, and early-year turnover starts to surface.

If your workforce is already stretched, now is the time to strengthen your pipeline before small gaps turn into significant operational challenges.

Why Acting Now Gives You an Edge

Hiring is not only about filling positions, it ensures your business operates smoothly and is prepared for long-term success.

February is an ideal time to address staffing needs because it is early enough to correct potential shortages before they become urgent. At the same time, it provides a clearer view of your team’s workload, turnover trends, and upcoming projects.

Taking action now allows you to be proactive rather than reactive. Building a strong workforce pipeline helps ensure production stays consistent, employees are not overextended, and your team is prepared to meet seasonal or project-based demand.

A strong talent pipeline also signals to both your team and potential candidates that your business is organized, strategic, and a great place to work, which will help you attract and retain top talent in today’s competitive manufacturing and industrial landscape.

5 Ways to Get Ahead of Hiring Gaps Before Spring

Turning strategy into action requires a few focused steps. These five strategies can help you stay ahead of hiring gaps and keep your operations running smoothly.

1. Evaluate Where You’re Feeling Strain

Take a look at labor hour trends, attendance patterns, and team workload. If supervisors are frequently stepping in to cover gaps or employees are consistently stretched thin, it may be an early sign your recruiting strategy needs reinforcement. Addressing this early helps prevent burnout and costly turnover.

2. Forecast for the Next 90 Days

Consider what projects, contracts, or seasonal shifts may impact your workforce in Q2. Waiting until demand hits makes hiring reactive. Planning ahead allows you to identify upcoming needs and begin sourcing associates before competition increases.

3. Access Pre-Screened Talent Quickly

Building a strong workforce is easier with the right partner. The Job Center provides pre-qualified, ready-to-work candidates, so when a position opens, you don’t waste time recruiting from scratch. This ensures quality hires, faster placement, and minimal disruption to your operations.

4. Reduce Reliance on Overtime

Overtime may solve short-term vacancies, but it often increases labor costs and overextends your team. By reinforcing your talent, you can balance workloads, maintain productivity, and keep your employees engaged. The Job Center helps provide the support you need before overtime becomes necessary.

5. Partner with a Strategic Staffing Team

A staffing partner does more than fill roles. They help you stay ahead of operations challenges. By supporting recruiting, screening, and compliance, a workforce provider allows your team to scale efficiently and maintain operational stability.

Ready to Strengthen Your Workforce?

Connect with your local Job Center today to discuss your hiring goals and start building a workforce pipeline that keeps your business productive, flexible, and ready for what’s next.

References

Amtec Staffing. (2026, January 12). The state of the U.S. manufacturing workforce (2025–2026 benchmark report). Amtec Staffing. https://www.amtec.us.com/blog/manufacturing-workforce-report
Deloitte. (2023). The skills gap in U.S. manufacturing: Talent shortage projections through 2033. Deloitte Insights. https://www.financefrank.com/articles/us-manufacturing-to-face-talent-gap-of-19-million-by-2033-reports-deloitte

About

Kendall Gerdeman

Kendall Gerdeman is based in Liberty Township, Ohio, and earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from Ohio University. She works in Marketing at The Job Center, where she supports brand awareness and engagement through purposeful campaigns and cross-team collaboration.