The Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program had so much success with last year’s inaugural Hamilton County Hiring Fair that it plans to host a second event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 14 at Ivy Tech, 300 N. 17th St., Noblesville.
Last year, 270 job seekers attended. Sixty vendors, each offering full-time positions with a minimum starting salary of $27,000, participated. The requirements are the same for the March event, and organizers hope to have up to 75 vendors.
“I know that the fact that people came, and not only did they interview for jobs, but actually received job offers that day,” said Jason Ells, a member of the Sheridan Youth Assistance Program board and the senior vice president of Custom Concrete in Westfield. “Not only did they do on-site interviews, but people were hired on the spot.”
Job offerings will be in specific fields, including health care, hospitality, agricultural science, construction, technology, transportation, manufacturing and public safety. Many of the jobs also offer benefits, and some will offer starting salaries higher than the $27,000 minimum.
Training agencies will be featured as well. Application and resume assistance will be provided by Work One of Hamilton County. The event is free to attend for job seekers.
“We will have training agencies there such as Ivy Tech, and those who are training people versus employers,” said Lisa Samuels, an early intervention advocate for the SYAP. “If you want to learn a trade, there’s also those opportunities, too.”
The event will have an open-house feel, and job seekers are not required to attend the entire day.
“We are going to have volunteers there to help people, show them around and make introductions to walk them to an area they’re interested in,” Ells said. “It really is a wrap-around service for those who are intimidated – the introverted folks who may not necessarily know how to talk to people well. We will have people there to help you with that. There really isn’t an excuse not to be there.”
Many of the vendors offering jobs do not require a college degree. Entry-level and experienced skill trades will be offered.
“Come meet people who want to meet you,” Ells said. “You’ve got a captive audience of employers who are ready to hire people.”
Vendors must sign up by March 7. For more or to register as a vendor, visit eventbrite.com/e/2019-hamilton-county-career-hiring-fair-registration-53191767007.
