Job Fair attracts seekers and providers

JACKSON — During the day Thursday, 323 people passed through the doors of the Northampton Cultural and Wellness Center for a chance to turn in a resume or fill out a job application at Job Fair 2009.

And they found employers ranging from Chowan Public Transportation Authority needing part time drivers to Piggly Wiggly with several positions. Or a chance to learn about programs at area community colleges, Choanoke Area Development Association and other agencies.

Northampton County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Judy Collier said the event was a huge success.

“It tells me that our citizens are really in need of jobs,” Collier said.

The event was sponsored by the Choanoke Area Development Association, the Northampton County Chamber of  Commerce, the Northampton County Rotary Club, the Northampton Human Resources Department, the Northampton County Department of Social Services, the Northampton County Health Department and the North Carolina Job Link Career Center-Employment Security Commission.

She noted a few of the participants were seeking the Armed Forces recruiters who were unable to attend the event due to some emergencies.

Collier said the employers were pleased with the participants at the event.

She added, “We are real excited to offer this opportunity to not only Northampton County but to surrounding counties as well.”

Students from Northampton County High Schools-East and West were at the event to assist with the event.

In the near future, Collier said, there are plans to have another job fair.

Graciela Mino of Conway wasn’t picky when it came to applying for work.

“I am looking for any available position,” she said as she stood in line at the beginning of the day long event. “This is a great chance for people to find what is out there.”

Kendra Askew, director of nursing at Guardian Care had openings for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants.

“We’re hoping for a large turnout,” she said.

Askew said they were seeking people who were licensed and could clear a background check.

“And have a willingness and want to help the elderly,” she said.

Ureina Woods already had a job when she showed up at the job fair. She said she was looking for a better job.

“Anything other than being a CNA,” she said.

It was the first job fair that she had ever attended so she said she was being open minded about the various jobs available.

Carisa Rudd, business services coordinator for Turning Point Workforce Development Board, didn’t have positions available but had plenty of information for dislocated workers.

“This is a way to let those people know there’s something else is out there,” she said. “Some feel like there is now place to go and others are not comfortable starting over.”

Turning Point provides services for those living in Northampton, Halifax, Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson counties. Rudd said they administer Workforce Investment funds to help adults, youth and dislocated workers.

Cynthia Moore, human resources manager for Choanoke Public Transportation Authority in Rich Square was seeking part-time drivers.

She felt the job fair was needed in the area. “People are looking and don’t have the resources,” Moore said. “We need to have more job fairs like this instead of having people going from company to company.”