WDRB 41 Louisville - News, Weather, Sports CommunityLocal jobs picture appears to be improving

Louisville, KY (WDRB News) --A local pizza chain is hiring -- just one indication that the overall jobs picture in Louisville maybe finally improving.

As 2011 draws to a close, there are several indications that things are at least a little better than a year ago.  "The economy is picking up," says Tom Reynolds, the owner of eight Domino's Pizza stores in the Louisville area.  He says business is good.

"We are seeing a definite spike since gasoline prices are lower," he says. "We see people have more money and they are buying more pizza."

So Reynolds and other Domino's franchise owners are looking to hire more workers. Reynolds needs about 25 additional employees for his stores. A total of more than a hundred are needed throughout Domino's 38 metro Louisville stores.

"We have full and part-time jobs available for drivers, customer service reps, and some management positions available," says Reynolds.

He says with profit-sharing some managers can make as much as $55,000 a year. He started out as a driver while in college.

"All of our franchise owners started out in the stores," he adds, "so there are a lot of career opportunities there."

Michael Gritton of KentuckianaWorks, the local job training agency, has been watching the employment numbers and has a good perspective on them. He says, "There are companies currently hiring in a number of different industries."  He says the number shows an improving local jobs picture.

Unemployment in the Louisville Metro area is down slightly from a year ago. This time last year it was 9.2%. Today it stands at 9.0%.

There are 18,000 more people working today in the Metro area than a year ago and 2,000 fewer people drawing unemployment.

"2011 is ending on a note where we have seen real job growth in our market," says Gritton, "this is a real fact."

And he says there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about the first part of next year.  "Humana, Ford, GE, and the auto suppliers are all growing and hiring," he says. Plus the health care and senior care industries also continue to hire Gritton points out.

But Gritton points out that there are still 58,000 people in the local area who are still without jobs.

If you would like to apply for those Domino jobs go to www.careers.dominos.com.

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