There are still plenty of "help wanted" signs posted in the Evansville-Henderson region, and the need for health care providers, truck drivers and restaurant workers remains high.
Some local industries have openings, too, with Toyota Indiana striving to meet its stated goal of having 1,400 more workers building vehicles by 2023.
But overall industrial employment in the region is on an upswing, with much less need in that sector than several months ago. In November 2021, about 1,000 more people were employed in local manufacturing than in November 2020.
That data covers Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey and Gibson counties in Indiana, as well as Henderson County, Kentucky.
"We certainly saw growth and people coming back into the workplace," said Greg Wathen, president of Evansville Regional Economic Partnership. "Are we where we need to be? Probably not, but we’re seeing an uptick in who’s employed.
Average annual wages in the region trended up nearly 6% in 2021.
Henderson County sees the same workforce trends as Evansville and the larger region.
"Almost every manufacturer I talk to, business is up, business is good, and pay is up. They’re doing well," Judge-Executive Brad Schneider said.
COVID has strained hospitals across the country, and the bistate region needs registered nurses and other health professionals. One plank in Southwestern Indiana's successful application for READI economic stimulus funds is an effort to increase seats in the University of Southern Indiana nursing program.
Those with a commercial drivers license, meanwhile, can find work very quickly in the current environment. Schneider said a CDL is "like a gold bar."
Restaurants in the region continue to need staff, and Wathen said data shows many people have dropped out of that industry.
Schneider said just about every Henderson restaurant he sees "has a hiring sign."
As for Toyota Indiana, which in April announced it is adding 1,400 workers to build two new SUV models, hiring thus far is "on track" to train newcomers and open production in early- to mid-2023, said Tim Hollander, vice president of manufacturing.
Toyota's hiring effort is ongoing, however.
"We have opportunities for folks looking for that next level, that next career opportunity," Hollander said. "We’re aggressively hiring and recruiting."
Unemployment rates in the region are microscopic. Vanderburgh County in November checked in at 2.2%.
"We’re trying to decide why people are still on the sidelines," Wathen said.