Organizers expect big turnout for job fair
Stephen Szucs | The Chronicle-Telegram
LORAIN — Organizers of the second Power of Work job fair at Goodwill Industries are bracing for hundreds of people in need of work.
The job fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the agency’s 1600 Broadway offices, will be similar to the inaugural event held in the spring, which drew 503 job seekers. Of those who participated, 186 were offered jobs, according to Sherwin Goldberg, a case manager/job developer for the agency’s Lorain offices.
“Things are very tough economically right now, what with this bailout plan,” Goldberg said. “Things have always been tough in this county.”
With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a nationwide loss of 159,000 jobs in September, social service agencies and employers fully realize how critical the situation is, according to Goldberg.
“These are the things we’re trying to do to counter and offset those numbers,” he said. “Everyone in this county has a stake in getting people working.”
Goldberg noted that the timing of this second job fair is good.
“We’re coming into the retail time of the year (for the holidays). It’s a good season for hiring people.”
A project of the nonprofit agency’s 2-year-old Power of Work Job Club, the event works to develop successful job-hunting skills, which include resume-writing, the proper way to fill out a job application and interview techniques.
“It has a lot to do with building self-confidence,” Goldberg said.
People who show up Wednesday can expect to meet and talk with representatives of a number of large and small businesses, including Forest City Technologies Inc., Pierre Foods, Ohio Edison, Lake Screen Printing, Teletech, HMS Host, Conrad’s automotive service shops and Ross Environmental Services.
“It’s a great opportunity to have 12 employers under one roof,” Goldberg said. “This way people have one place in which they can apply for work.”
Less obvious than writing a good resume or knowing how to interview well are lifestyle problems that often hold people back from hunting for good jobs, let alone landing them. The job fair will also have counselors on hand from local social service agencies, including Catholic Charities and Neighborhood House Association to discuss issues including drug, alcohol and major health problems, lack of medical insurance, having a place to live, regular meals and means of paying utility bills.
People can also learn about transportation to and from work.
This job fair will also include representatives from Leadership Lorain County.
Contact Steve Fogarty at 329-7146 or sfogarty@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by Stephen Szucs | The Chronicle-Telegram October 6th, 2008 in Local and State. Popularity: 1% |
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