Jobs are plentiful--in scattered areas of U.S. and for those with certain skills
Help wanted: Bank tellers in Raleigh, N.C. Computer salespeople in North Sioux City, S.D. And truck drivers -- everywhere.</br></br>On Friday, the Labor Department reported that national unemployment remains relatively high, at 6.4% of the work force in December. But in some scattered industry sectors and regions there are labor shortages. And just as high unemployment can damage a region's economy, a tight labor pool can hamper growth.</br></br>Just ask Del Webb Corp. The home builder said its business is off in the Phoenix area -- but only because it lacks enough workers to fill all of its orders.</br></br>"With the resurgence of home building throughout the Southwest -- except for California -- we're seeing everything from minor labor shortages to significant ones," said Phil Dion, the company's chairman. "It's driving up costs and prices, and in some cases skilled laborers are making a third to 50% more than two years ago."</br></br>Reeves Neblett, chairman of Shelby Die Casting Co., in Shelby, Miss., said that although the unemployment rate in his county exceeds the national average, he can't find enough machinists and technicians. "We've advertised, and we're willing to pay people more" than Shelby's current $8 to $12 hourly rate, he said, but it's tough to get trained workers to move to Shelby.