Murphy – As of the Cherokee Scout’s press time Tuesday, there are 230 job openings in Cherokee County representing at least 1,360 positions that employers need filled.
“With unemployment numbers being so low, we have more jobs available than we have people to fill those positions,” said
Leslynn Jones, a veterans employment representative with the N.C. Works Career Center covering all seven western North Carolina counties.
“We have employers that are begging for people, but we're having a hard time getting people to take those jobs.”
N.C. Works held a meet and greet with Jones on Sept. 11 at the office, 800 U.S. 64 W. Veterans spoke with her throughout the day and learned how she can help them obtain employment.
“My sole purpose is to work with veterans who have barriers to employment and then work with employers to get veterans hired,” she said.
Jones knows firsthand the struggles veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. She grew up as a “Marine brat” and later joined the U.S. Army, where she worked as an interrogator and a linguist in military intelligence for six years. Her husband served in the military as well and retired from the Air Force.
Prior to working for the state, Jones worked with the U.S. Department of Labor conducting employment workshops for service members transitioning to civilian life.
“Veterans are my people, and I care about them,” she said. “A lot of veterans don’t like to ask for help; they prefer to be self-sufficient. Sometimes veterans who come in have hit a low point and have fallen on hard times. So it’s nice to talk to another veteran.”
Jones encourages all unemployed individuals, including civilians and disabled veterans, to stop by N.C. Works and take advantage of the free resources that can help overcome obstacles to employment.
“There are a lot of jobs available,” Jones said. “We're a matchmaker. So if you hear someone say, ‘There aren’t any jobs,’ or ‘I can’t find anything,’ tell them to come into the career center because we can point them in the right direction.”
To view a listing of jobs available in Cherokee County, visit NCWorks.gov.