Hundreds of people filled Flint Hills Technical College Saturday for the Job/Community Fair hosted by the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Job/Community Fair was held in response to the Tyson Fresh Meats layoffs. Tyson cut more than 1,500 jobs in a massive layoff that ended beef slaughter operations in Emporia. The job fair exceeded organizers’ expectations, said Lori Scott Dreiling, one of the organizers of the fair. Dreiling said there were about 116 booths representing 30 agencies and 21 Emporia area employers. In all, six states were represented at the job fair. Dreiling said there were a few employers there who weren’t on the list. But they found room for each one by shuffling things around.
Dreiling said the fair was a group effort and a good 300 man-hours were put in to make it a success. And a success it was, as the college’s parking lot quickly filled up just after the start of the event at 1 p.m. Within an hour, Emporia High School’s parking lot across the street was filled as well. Inside it was wall-to-wall people waiting to visit the various booths.
Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce President Jeanine McKenna said she was pleased with the response. McKenna was handing out flyers to people who were coming in the door.
“It’s been a wonderful response on all fronts,” McKenna said. “... It shows there are jobs available out there. There are a lot of Emporia and area employers here but also in the Midwest.”
McKenna said she hoped people looking for jobs left the fair with a more optimistic outlook. Nelson and Reyna Orellana, who have four children, said they are more optimistic than when they walked in.
“I would like to stay in town,” Nelson Orellana said.
However, Orellana said that if he is not able to find a job, he and his family will have to move.
“We’re looking for a good deal,” he said.
For many of the people looking for employment, their desire is to stay in Emporia. For former Tyson workers like Celia Ortiz, who had worked at Tyson for nearly 18 years, their roots and their lives are in Emporia. Ortiz came to Emporia from Mexico. She raised her two children here and now has three granddaughters in Emporia.
“It’s too hard for me to move,” Ortiz said. “This is my home. My family has been here all their lives.”
Jose Gutierrez, former Tyson worker, said he worked at Tyson for several years.
“The (fair) was a good idea,” Gutierrez said. “A lot of people need a job. I hope to find a job here.”
Josue Blandin worked at Tyson for 11 years. He too hopes to find a job in Emporia.
“I plan to stay here,” Blandin said. “Definitely if I get a job here. I don’t really want to move.”
Blandin said with all the opportunities presented Saturday that people should be able to find a job.
“I think I will be able to get something,” he said as he made his way to another booth.
Eswin Rios, director of Friends in Faith, said he also was happy with Saturday’s fair.
“I see a lot of (Tyson) workers here,” Rios said as he stood among the crowd of people waiting to see booths. “There definitely is a big demand.”
Rios said he is glad Emporia put on the job fair. He said one of the goals is to retain as many people as possible in the community.
“We’re happy to help,” Rios said. “Obviously the word got out because they’re here.”
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080216/a...
February 16, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CassieJo (anonymous) says...
It was nice to see so many employers at the job fair. Maybe next time they could have it at the auditorium so it's not so crowded. It was really hard to get through some of the hallways there was too much congestion in some of the hallways. It was really hard to stop and talk to anyone or ask questions when most of the time everyone was elbow to elbow. It was great to see so many people attend but they could have definately found a larger space for it.
February 18, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )