With Blair County's unemployment rate at 7.3 percent - its highest since October 1993 - its tough to find a summer job.
"Our applications are up at least double what we usually receive," said Mike Hofer, director of the Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission, which usually hires 30 to 35 young people to fill summer positions. "It is the economy - the jobs just aren't there like in the past."
Hofer said adults have been applying for maintenance jobs.
"We only hire one or two for the summer, but we have over 30 applications," Hofer said. "Women also are applying for these jobs, and that is extremely unusual."
Local amusement parks have received many more applications than usual.
"I have a huge stack of applications. It would take me a while to count them all. I probably have about 300," said Lakemont Park operations manager Bob Larson, who already has filled about 230 summer positions.
The same is true at DelGrosso's Amusement Park in Tipton.
"We have had more applicants than we have had in the last four or five years and we are still getting them. We probably have had about a 20 to 25 percent increase in applicants," said Carl Crider Jr., general manager.
He said the park hires more than 500 young people for the summer, but noted out-of-work adults aren't taking jobs away from young people.
"The reason we don't get a lot of adults is because we are a seasonal employer and can pay a sub-minimum wage," Crider said.
The Hollidaysburg Area YMCA received two applications for every opening it had for work in its summer camps. Laurie Smith, human resources director, said she received a large number of applications from college students.
"Kids are scrambling. Some of them have graduated and can't get jobs. We've had some real good applications," said Smith. "We got over 30 applications and have already filled those [15] positions."
Martin's Food Market on Chestnut Avenue recently added 15 new part-time associates.
A lot of them are high school students.
"We don't just hire for the summer. They could be long-term positions," said spokeswoman Tracy Pawelski. "We are pretty much at full capacity in all Altoona stores."
J.B. Tree Farm in Alexandria usually hires about 16 high school students to trim trees during the summer. Co-owner Evelyn Bookhammer said there have been a lot of calls, and they started earlier than usual.
"There may be higher interest this summer," said Bookhammer. "We usually don't hire adults, but adults may apply. The work is more suited to younger people."
Those certified as lifeguards may have an easier time than others finding jobs. Lifeguard positions still are available at several locations.
LeeAnn Aurandt, aquatics director at the Hollidaysburg Area YMCA, said Blue Knob State Park contacted her to see if she had any extra lifeguards.
"We have hired 13 new lifeguards and we could use some more," said Aurandt.
The Y has two indoor pools and runs the pools at The Blairmont Club and Bellwood-Antis Community Park.
Hofer said he also could use more certified lifeguards for the two pools in Altoona - Prospect and Memorial.
The YMCA will offer two sets of lifeguard certification classes - Saturday to May 27 at the Y and Bellwood-Antis Community Pool and June 1 to 7 at the Bellwood pool. Cost is $200 for Y members and $250 for nonmembers.
"It is a great job for someone out of the work force," Aurandt said. "These jobs could feed into the fall and winter at the YMCA with our indoor pools."
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.
