Filling the need for seasonal workers
By Ashleigh Petersen
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Filling the need for seasonal workers

The H-2B visa program could help

The labor shortage across the country is continuing to be felt in a variety of industries including in equipment and event rental. In the past, many American Rental Association (ARA) members, especially those in event rental, have relied on the H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker program to meet their seasonal demand. The program allows U.S. employers or U.S. agents, who meet specific regulatory requirements, to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs.

Each year, the program allows 66,000 workers to enter the country per fiscal year, with 33,000 for workers who begin employment in the first half of the fiscal year (Oct. 1 to March 31) and 33,000 for workers who begin employment in the second half of the fiscal year (April 1 to Sept. 30).

If an employer is interested in taking part in the program, the application process must be started months before the need for employees begins. Now would be the time to begin the process in order to have a chance at additional help during the second half of the fiscal year (April 1 to Sept. 30).

To learn more about the application process, visit dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor/programs/h-2b.

To help with the growing labor crisis, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made a supplemental increase of 22,000 visas available during the recent summer months but that increase will end Sept. 31, 2021.

In order to address the annual cap on these visas, the bipartisan Returning Worker Exception Act of 2021 (H.R. 3897) has been introduced. ARA has expressed its support to the lawmakers sponsoring the bill. 

 

Post openings on the ARA Job Board

The ARA Job Board from the American Rental Association (ARA) can help those in the equipment and event rental industry who are struggling to fill open positions. ARA also is offering five free 90-day job postings to rental store members.

ARA rental store employers can access the job board from the main ARA website, ARArental.org, using the same login they have for the ARA site. Prospective employees will find a link on ARArentalworks.com, ARA’s microsite that is specifically designed for those who want to find out more about rental as a career path. Job seekers also can upload their résumé to the job board.

To take advantage of the ARA offer to list five job openings for free, ARA rental store members should use the promo code ARA-5Free. Additional posting packages are offered for those with more jobs they would like to post. The ARA Job Board always is free to any job applicant.

For questions, contact Keith Pearson, ARA director, rental industry workforce development, at 800-334-2177, ext. 223, or keith.pearson@ararental.org

Ashleigh Petersen

Ashleigh PetersenAshleigh Petersen

Ashleigh Petersen is the digital communications manager for Rental Management. She writes news and feature articles, plus coordinates the monthly Safety Issue and several sections in the magazine. Ashleigh loves spending time with her husband and young son, baking, gardening and listening to true crime and comedy podcasts.

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