Carowinds hopes to hire over 5,000 employees for 2017 season

It’s not vacation season in the Carolinas just yet but at Carowinds, it’s hiring season.

Hundreds, possibly thousands, of people will pack Carowinds on Saturday in hopes of getting a job for the 2017 season.

“We’re looking to be one of the biggest employers, season employers, in the state of North Carolina,” said human resources director Sandy Cranford.

Cranford said for the first time Carowinds could hire more than 5,000 people, compared to the 4,000 hired in 2016.

One reason for the hiring increase is the $50 million expansion that has added new areas to the theme park. Carowinds is also bringing back Winterfest, which means the theme park will be open in December for two weeks.

Cranford said it’s also harder to get workers inside the gates because the rising economy means more job choices.

“There’s competition out there. We have malls going up. We have new businesses going up every day, so there is more competition out there now,” Cranford said.

[LINK: Carowinds Job Information]

Employees age 18 and older can be trained to operate rides, but Carowinds hires employees as young as 15, although most of those positions are already filled.

Also this year, a record 250 foreign workers will be hired with visas allowing them to work four months as part of a work and travel program. The program was expanded because Carowinds needs more workers.

All potential employees are given background checks.

The job fair goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Carowinds.

The theme park opens to the public on March 24.

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