400-500 seasonal jobs available
MACKINAW CITY -- While Mackinaw City was fairly quiet Wednesday, soon the empty storefront windows will again be filled with t-shirts and souvenirs as tourists pack onto the sidewalks.
They're expected to travel to northern Michigan, eating in restaurants and sleeping in hotels.
Like 2008, Shepler's Ferry Service is hoping for a busy summer, shuttling visitors to- and from Mackinac Island. But, whether it's on a ship or in a shop, it takes plenty of people to get the job done.
"During the peak of it all, we'll have around 175 employees, cast members as we call them here," said Chris Shepler, vice president of Shepler's Ferry Service.
Soon, throughout the Straits of Mackinac, jobs will be filling up for the tourist season. Just how many?
"We think that 400 to 500 jobs would be a conservative when you consider Mackinac Island and the city as well," said Jim Clapperton with the eastern upper peninsula chapter of Michigan Works. "If there is still good weather and reasonable gasoline prices it could still be a very busy summer."
While many area resorts and businesses employ a number of immigrant workers, Clapperton says especially this year, many businesses are looking to hire local workers.
While the employment opportunities are primarily classified as "season", Clapperton says that should not discourage job seekers from still fill out applications."
"We encourage all job seekers coming in to take advantage of whatever they can find, at least for the interim period, because these are uncertain times, we don't know what all of the spinoff will be from what happens downstate and one constant in our lives is that seasonal employment seems to be here year after year to varying extent," Clapperton said.
Job seekers of all ages are invited to attend the St. Ignace Job Fair on Friday, April 17 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Little Bear East in St. Ignace. Approximately 20 businesses will be available for individuals seeking work. Opportunities exist for part-time, full-time, year round and seasonal employment.
