I-Team: Wisconsin`s worker shortage intensifies, businesses offer pay bumps and bonuses to fill jobs

"We`re hiring" signs and are not hard to find in Southeast Wisconsin. What appears to be hard to find are people to apply.

"You thought `Oh pandemic, lots of unemployment, I`ll be able to able to find a lot of workers, but that`s not the reality our businesses are seeing," said Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO Melissa "Missy" Hughes.

Hughes says the pandemic put a magnifying glass on obstacles families face in getting back to work.

"If part of our family`s ability to go to school or have their needs met is hindered then that impacts the family member and their ability to get to work," she explained.

Hughes says a lack of childcare, health issues, or not having access to reliable high-speed internet are all playing a role in Wisconsin`s worker shortage, which has been an issue for years....

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Ken Notes: This will be especially difficult for tourism and hospitality which must have a great season coming out of the pandemic.