CONNEAUT – There’s a common refrain among businesses owners and managers that it’s difficult to find employees. At the same time, potential employees talk about there being a lack of job opportunities.
The Conneaut Area Chamber of Commerce wanted to bring the two groups together through a Job Fair on Monday, June 22.
“We originally wanted to have a job fair for our members and other businesses because we were trying to find more value to the chamber membership and then we opened it up to all the other businesses as well,” Conneaut Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Wendy DuBey said. “You just keep hearing that people can’t get workers, so we thought this would be a good way to introduce workers to employers.”
Ten area businesses set up tables and more than 20 job seekers attended the job fair at Conneaut Human Resources Center.
The job fair was sponsored by Cruise Planners, Independent Can Co. and Lake Pointe Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Other employers that participated in the event included Ashtabula Regional Medical Center, Conneaut Area City Schools, Conneaut Human Resources Center, CoreCivic (Lake Erie Correctional Institution), State Road Medical Center, Penco Tool and Meadow Falls of Conneaut.
“I’m very grateful (to the businesses who attended),” DuBey said. “I want to shout out our three sponsors, Cruise Planners with Kelley Austin, Lake Pointe Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Independent Can Co.”
“I want to thank everybody who came out tonight, but a special shoutout to our sponsors because they really stepped up for us,” DuBey continued
The prospective employers handed out applications and information about their companies. They also answered questions.
“It’s the backbone of the community, a healthy workforce, so (the job fair) is very important,” DuBey said. “There’s a lot of other employers that aren’t here that are still hiring, as well, so there are jobs.”
“I hope the potential employers get employees and I hope potential employees find an employer,” DuBey said. “I hope they get together.”
The job fair was also an opportunity for teenagers who are looking to earn a little cash during their summer breaks.
“With school just ending, there’s all kinds of different jobs that are part-time, full-time, seasonal,” DuBey said. “They’re out there.”
