LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Staffing agencies say they are seeing an increase in seasonal employment in Kentuckiana, as retailers credit a growing movement toward online shopping.
Online shopping is a growing trend for holiday gift-givers and the reason for a temporary hiring surge at both shipping facilities and warehouses across Kentuckiana.
"We certainly started seeing the rise last year," said UPS World Port's Jeff Wafford in regard to online holiday shopping. "You'll see more of it this year, and that trend will probably continue for the next few years."
UPS expects an 11% increase in holiday online shopping this year -- which means more packages going through World Port -- and the need for 3,000 seasonal workers.
"We've been hiring several hundred every couple of weeks, but we have several hundred more still open," said Wafford. "There are plenty of positions open."
The hiring also continues in Fairdale, Kentucky at custom sports apparel company, Fanatics. It's looking to more than double the number of seasonal employees hired last year.
"We are 40% over forecast than last year. So that's how much more hiring we're going to have to do with Fanatics," said David Rock with Kelly Services staffing agency.
Fanatics has hired Rock, and the team at Kelly Services, to help fill the positions.
They aren't the only ones. Online retailer Rue La La has hired Kelly Services to fill 300 positions at its Shepherdsville Warehouse, which is a first for the discount fashion retailer.
Amazon, also a Kelly Services customer, says it still has thousands of positions to fill across Kentucky, including at the Bullitt County and Jeffersonville fulfillment centers.
Rock says for most of these positions, no experience is needed.
"We're just looking for a solid work history," he said. "Someone that is willing to work 10 hour days, five days a week."
He says the hiring won't slow until the second week in December, or until customer demand dies down.
For information on seasonal employment at Fanatics, visit: www.kellyfan.com or stop at the application office at 9205 National Turnpike, Fairdale, Kentucky, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For information on seasonal employment at Amazon, visit: www.workatamazonfufillment.com
For information on seasonal employment at UPS, visit: www.upsjobs.com
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