KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Grocery stores, food delivery chains, hospitals, and other businesses across the country are putting out the call to hire thousands of new workers as demand ramps up in response to concerns from COVID-19 in the United States.
The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development has launched the Tennessee Talent Exchange to help workers who have lost their current jobs because of the coronavirus closures to find a job with places that really need more help right now.
According to the state, there are about 350,000 current employees at places like restaurants and hotels who be temporarily out of work. But all of those people have skills that will help out in grocery and retail right now. Click here to apply.
The Knoxville Chamber has a full list of employers looking for workers right now. Access that list here.
Other opportunities
In East Tennessee, Food City announced they are adding 2,500 associates across all locations amid the spike in demand across its stores. Those jobs include cashiers, clerks, stockers, and more.
RELATED: Food City adjusting hours, setting aside first hour of each day for elderly and at-risk customers
Kroger said it's looking to fill 10,000 positions during this time of need. The company is looking to fill positions in its plants, warehouses and stores.
During the coronavirus emergency, Kroger has already reduced store hours in order to grant time to its employees to restock and clean.
“We are hiring people literally one or two days after you apply. So we are trying to make it quick and easy for everyone," Clara Campbell with Kroger Company said.
Sitel, the phone contact firm, says it plans to hire 250 people for work-at-home phone positions. More information is available here.
Dollar General stores are hiring up to 50,000 employees as they work to keep up with customer demand during the coronavirus pandemic.
If you are interested, click here. Many of the jobs may start out as temporary.
PepsiCo Beverages North America South Division is looking to hire temporary staff immediately in the Knoxville area as they work to keep up with consumer demand. Interested candidates should go here to learn more on how to apply.
Restaurants that specialize in delivery are also seeing increased demand -- and many pizza chains are hiring. Domino's, Jet's Pizza and other delivery chains said they are hiring at locations across the country, including Tennessee. Delivery drivers are in particular need. Jet's said its drivers can make between $13 - $16 per hour, based on tips and mileage.
Online retailers are also in need of new workers. Amazon said it is working to add 100,000 new full-time and part-time positions across the U.S. Those jobs start at $17 an hour through at least April.
Blount Memorial Hospital also announced that it had immediate job openings. Many of the positions do not require licensing or experience in health care, such as certified nursing assistants and positions in the food and nutrition department.
Representatives with Express Employment Professionals in Anderson County said that there are over 50 jobs available, mostly in light packaging at a pharmaceutical company.
Red Stag Fulfillment is currently hiring for multiple positions. Those can be found here.
D&S Community Services has 50 immediate openings (FT, PT and TEMP to hire in Maryville, Alcoa, Knoxville and Sweetwater. More info can be found here.
Amazon positions can be found at https://www.amazon.jobs/en/
Domino's positions can be found at jobs.dominos.com
Food City positions can be found at https://foodcitycareers.com/
Jet's Pizza positions can be found by calling your local chain. You can find contacts at https://www.jetspizza.com/employment
Kroger positions can be found at jobs.kroger.com
Walmart positions at careers.walmart.com
Blount Memorial positions can be found at https://blountmemorial.org/s_2_pp_144_p_404
Melaleuca, a company that sells nutritional, personal care and cleaning products, positions can be found at www.melaleucajobs.com
Tranzonic, a distributor of cleaning, maintenance, absorbents and personal protection products is currently hiring at its West Knoxville facility. Applications can be submitted online.
Hillcrest Healthcare is a nursing provider seeking employees for dining support, housekeeping support and certified nursing assistants. Anyone interested can apply online.
Dominion Senior Living said it has several temporary and permanent positions available. Anyone interested can apply online, on its website.
Republic Plastics is hiring 80 full-time machine operators at National Drive locations. Anyone interested in a position can submit an application online.
Lowe's Home Improvement is looking to hire 30,000 associates across the U.S. Anyone interested can apply online to work at one of the company's several branches.
Caregiver Inc. is looking for people who can provide daily care for intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals. Anyone interested can apply for a position online.
Ingles Inc. also announced that it is looking to hire 5,000 new employees across its stores. Anyone interested can apply online.
Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.