An ongoing labor shortage in Bloomington-Normal has restaurant hiring managers looking to unconventional places for workers.
People with disabilities are being recognized as a viable workforce more than before. Marcfirst is a nonprofit that provides job coaches for people with developmental disabilities.
CEO Brian Wipperman takes pride in the kind of support his organization is providing to developmentally disabled individuals.
As with most industries, COVID-19 has created many different issues in any workforce. For Marcfirst, it has affected the number of unemployed people who are seeking on-the-job coaching. For those who are seeking jobs, the pandemic has also impacted the desire to work in a traditional work environment.
“People have to want these jobs,” said Wipperman.
As more individuals have pivoted to working remotely from their homes, Wipperman feels confident that Marcfirst also will pivot to assist in that transition.
Rivian is a considerable opportunity for Marcfirst, taking into account the many different jobs the electric automobile manufacturer will create.
“From janitorial to food service ... to people on the line building cars. I think we can absolutely pivot and start to look at supporting people at Rivian,” said Wipperman.
Marcfirst is experiencing labor shortages itself. Wipperman said the nonprofit has the desire and means to take on another 50 coaches — it is simply a matter of finding the people to fill the coaching positions.
As for the handful of coaches currently employed by Marcfirst, they work toward a goal of independence for their clients.
“They may come in and spend the first hour of every shift with that adult, wherever the job may be. We’re always looking to decrease those hours ... to where the coach only has to check in once a week or once a month,” said Wipperman.
Going forward, Marcfirst is keeping tabs on the increasing minimum wage in Illinois and how that will affect the agency's budget.
