We found this on the WSOCTV.com site
Human Resources Company To Bring 900 Jobs To Charlotte
POSTED: 6:41 pm EST December 14, 2005
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hewitt Associates Inc., one of the world’s largest human resources and outsourcing firms, announced expansion plans Wednesday to bring 900 new jobs and $8 million in investment to Charlotte.
“These 900 new jobs at Hewitt will require the knowledge, talent and skill that our North Carolina work force is known for,” Gov. Mike Easley said in a statement before he addressed local business leaders in Charlotte.
the article goes on to say…
The combination of a strong talent pool, competitive work force and facility options, as well as a highly supportive local and state government, and strong business climate made Charlotte the clear choice for Hewitt,” said Matt Shaul, a Hewitt associate.
Hewitt’s decision to expand to Charlotte was made possible in part by a state Job Development Investment Grant, the governor’s office said. The grants come as payroll tax deductions from new jobs created.
Despite projected layoffs and General Motors, Time-Warner, and a fair share of the Real Estate industry, there are signs that more companies are hiring on local and regional levels. As logic would have it and quotes would bear true, these companies are seeking areas where the employees are smart, skilled and qualified for the new age dynamics of the modern industry. Of course, it doesn’t hurt when aggressive state and local governments accomodate the wants and needs of prospective employers by offering incentives.
This is all good news. While some companies lay off workers and try to renovate or modernize their business models, other companies demonstrate they know just what they want. More often than not these are the companies whose demands are met by willing towns and cities. We have no doubt that most companies are being more specific about their desires and show less tolerance for a workforce where more than the odd fellow or gal has a drinking or drug problem, is illiterate, incompetent or prone to questionable workers’ compensation claims.
Since many of these companies are new to the neighborhood, we hope they will have the good sense to conduct pre-employment background checks on everyone they hire. Pre-employment background checks assure more discriminating selection and that should result in a better workforce. A better workforce promotes the advantages of increasing the labor pool instead of putting focus on the economic and logistical hardships.
Hopefully, 2006 will show a new effort to hire the American worker, and the American worker is uniformly someone we are proud to hire. We think this would go a long way in redirecting a more positive approach to labor and industry in this country of ours.
