Contributing writer
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| Photo by Krista Daly/A woman at the South Valley WorkSource Center career fair interested in an office position at Midas takes information about the requirements of the job |
Over 300 people attended the South Valley WorkSource Center (SVWSC) career fair in Palmdale, Wednesday morning, Feb. 22.
Carolyn Ramsey, an AVC student, said she thought the career fair was good for the community. “We definitely need job fairs in Palmdale,” Ramsey said. “I moved out here from L.A. and there are more opportunities there than here.”
The career fair included representatives from Midas, Holiday Inn, Devry University, Solar Powered Independence, AV Union High School District and others.
Pablo Scipione, a representative from Advanced Conservation Systems, said he has been part of other career fairs with SVWSC, which are held every two or three months.
“We're looking [for employees] in a place where people are stomping the grounds everyday and getting their resumes out there,” Scipione said.
“If you're hungry to get something, you're going to get it,” Scipione said. “And if you really want work, you'll find it.”
Patricia Creshaw said she came to the job fair looking for something in the medical field. She said she was disappointed because no one was hiring for that kind of position.
“I wish the job fairs would be open to hiring on the spot,” she said. “There also needs to be a better way to access info on level-entry positions.”
The AV Union High School District representative Maria Branch gave people information on the AV Regional Occupation Program, which provides job skills training for anyone who needs to be trained or re-trained for an entry-level position.
“Going through this program will help make [people] more marketable,” Branch said.
By the end of the program, they will be certified and have the opportunity to have hands-on training through an internship, she added.
The Business Service Representative reaches out to small businesses throughout the community for each job fair, which allows for different businesses to find potential employees, said SVWSC Intake Specialist Jasmin Rodriguez.
Midas, for example, had never been represented at the SVWSC job fair in the past.
“I'm amazed at how many people came, and how nice everyone is,” said Jessi Gamez, Midas owner. “There are quite a few applicants.”
Troy Thomas said he was interested in Midas as a possible job opportunity.
“I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and keeping a positive outlook on it,” Thomas said.
“Before each job fair, people can attend a First Impression Certification Workshop,” Rodriguez said.
The workshop helps potential employers get ready for a job fair by ensuring they have a resume and are dressing for the part, Rodriguez said. They also hold mock interviews, which will help for on-site interviews during the career fair, she added.
Going to the workshop is an advantage because those certified get to go to the front of the line, and employers know that they are ready to give a good first impression, Rodriguez said.
