Job Fairs Effective at Putting People to Work

October 10, 2012

For Immediate Release: October 10, 2012 Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 207-621-5009

AUGUSTA?As autumn approaches, Maine?s CareerCenters and other organizations will be sponsoring a host of job fairs across the state. Many may wonder whether businesses are really hiring in this economy. In a nutshell, yes, they are, as follow-up from one such job fair held last spring indicates.

Last spring, York County held a Regional Job Fair in Springvale, with 65 organizations participating and more than 550 people attending. Feedback indicates that 50 job seekers were hired by such businesses as Adecco, Cianbro, FedEx Ground, Bonney Staffing, Fiber Materials, Home Helpers, Hussey Seating, Lakeview NeuroRehabilitation, New England Truck Tire, Project Flagging, Springborn Staffing, Waban and the York County Jail.

In addition, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard promoted their apprenticeship program, and representatives believe that many of the 1,900 applicants tested for the program began the application process at this job fair.

Further north, Bangor?s Spring Career Fair resulted in 29 hires by 14 employers, including the Jackson Laboratory, Hollywood Casino, VIP and Woodlands Assisted Living.

?Job fairs really showcase the many types of companies and many types of jobs a region offers,? noted Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette. ?Job fairs are great places for people in different situations?whether it be someone who is unemployed, a younger person needing career ideas or someone who really wants to change careers?to be able to talk to different businesses and be inspired. Getting people back to work is a focus of the LePage Administration.?

She added, ?For those who might need training to make a career change or get a dream job, the job fairs sponsored by the CareerCenters have people to talk to help job seekers make those connections. People do not have to try to do this on their own. In fact, people can visit a CareerCenter at any time to learn about training and apprenticeship opportunities.?

October and November will feature several job fairs around the state. The CareerCenters are currently involved in planning the following events, so brush up your r?sum? and come dressed as if you were being interviewed for a job. Job fairs are a great opportunity to make a strong and positive first impression.

-October 11 15th Annual Fall Career Fair, Bangor -October 17 Fall Job Fair, Presque Isle -November 14 Hiring our Heroes Job Fair, Brunswick

To find more information about jobs fairs across the state or to locate the closest CareerCenter and information about job training programs, visit the CareerCenter website, www.mainecareercenter.com .

CareerCenters, part of the Maine Department of Labor, offer a variety of workshops and services to help people find employment or upgrade skills. Each center provides several public-access computer workstations with Microsoft Office software, resume writing and cover letter software, Internet access and O?Net software for skills assessment. All CareerCenter services are free of charge.

Maine CareerCenters are an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

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