Ryan Murphy from the Labor Market Information Division says in our area, 33% of those currently employed are likely to accept a new job. Before COVID it was generally just 20-25%.
"Now we're seeing that number above 30 percent, higher than 30 percent and that's new. We are seeing it in industries we don't typically see those higher numbers in so we definitely incurred a shock to the labor market."
Of those currently employed, 28% are actively looking for new jobs.
Murphy says the highest numbers of people working who are willing to change are in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and education and healthcare. And the main reasons people give for wanting to change jobs are better wages, working conditions, and having been laid off.
Iowa Workforce Development estimates the Quad Cities region has an available workforce of 581,000. This is generally considered to be anyone between the ages of 18-64.
It also found that people looking for new jobs in this region are willing to drive as long as thirty minutes one-way to work.