The lure of jobs in a sluggish economy brought hundreds of hopefuls to the University of the Virgin Islands’ St. Croix campus Wednesday morning, where the V.I. Department of Labor was conducting a recruitment drive for Home Depot.
The hardware retail giant has set its grand opening for Sept. 15 and plans to hire about 125 workers. The number of applicants for those jobs more than doubled that number Wednesday.
With the doors of the Great Hall slated to open at 10 a.m., the line began forming more than an hour earlier. By the time the first small group of applicants was allowed in, close to a hundred people were gathered at the door. Some in the crowd said there had been some pushing and shoving at about 9 a.m., but a security guard who declined to give her name said the crowd had been well behaved.
"Everyone has done just what they were supposed to," she said.
Representatives of the Department of Labor and the company let the crowd enter in small groups so they could devote the time needed to each applicant.
Outside people waited impatiently, forming a tight knot of humanity in front of the doorway. (In a half hour this reporter could not get within 20 feet of the door.) With St. Croix’s unemployment rate at about 11 percent, according to the Department of Labor’s website, the incentive to find a job at the island’s new hardware giant was strong.
"I’ve got kids," one man repeated, "I’ve gotta make some money."
At about 10:30 a.m. the door reopened and another 10 people were allowed in. From the front a voice said sharply, "I need you all to act like adults!" Farther back, a job applicant commented with a wry smile, "Yeah, there might be two or three here."
Some people looked the scene over and decided to come back later. The event ran until 3 p.m. and "It’s not first come, first served," one potential applicant observed, noting that people would be hired based on their experience, not when they got through the door. "I’ll come back after lunch."
After lunch turned out to be a good idea. Those returning at about 12:30 p.m. found the walkway clear, the door open and a small group of people being helped by the DOL and Home Depot representatives on hand.
Inside, Sheena Powell, administrator of the DOL’s St. Croix Job Services office, said they had been moving people through in small groups, explaining that those who had already applied online didn’t need to be there, and helping others through the process. They had kept the groups small, she said, to make sure each applicant got the help he or she needed.
Dorothy Rahn, human resources director for the St. Croix store, called the turnout "rewarding."
"I’m very excited," she said. "We’ll open Sept. 15 with a fully staffed store … The applicants we’re seeing, the level of experience and the skills, we’re going to have a great staff."
Rahn moved to St. Croix two months ago. Her most recent assignment for Home Depot was at its Florida Keys store.
For those who missed Wednesday’s recruiting session, Powell said its not too late to apply. People can apply online at www.careers.homedepot.com. Applicants should enter Zip Code 00850 when using the automated system.
The DOL also encourages interested people to visit the department’s Sunny Isle Office location to register with the department. Staff will be available to assist with the online application process.
