Job fair draws hundreds

Homepage

Related Photos

Stephanie Fewell White discusses employment opportunities with job-seeker Greg Sellars. Natalie Fultz/Times-Enterprise

February 22, 2013

Job fair draws hundreds

Natalie Fultz CNHI The Times Enterprise Fri Feb 22, 2013, 09:27 PM EST

THOMASVILLE — On Thursday, Southwest Georgia Technical College made its twelfth attempt to lower the unemployment rate in Georgia. According to a study conducted by the United States Department of Labor, in December 2012 8.6 percent of Georgians were unemployed.

Southwest Georgia Technical College (SWGTC) is doing its part to lower that number.

Nearly 75 employers and resources set up booths inside SWGTC to search for possible new hires at the 2013 Cairo/Thomasville Career Expo.

The event provides a chance for job seekers and employers to meet about local employment opportunities.

Archbold Memorial Hospital, Avon, Florida State University, Georgia Department of Public Safety and Workforce Plus were just a few of the companies in attendance at this year’s event.

Stephanie Fewell White, marketing director at Flowers Automotive Group, finds that career expos are helpful in finding employees.

“At the last job fair, we hired three people to serve as sales consultants,” White said.

White explained the characteristics she searches for when talking to job seekers.

“We look for people who are friendly and outgoing,” White said. “They have to have good communication skills and must be able to learn products.”

Although Kristie Gray, 30, has a part-time job, she came to SWGTC’s Job Fair in hopes of finding a full-time job.

“This job fair has been very informative,” Gray said. “I have met a lot of people.”

Sgt. William Gaines of the United States Army, believes that career expos “give people from areas that don’t have an Army presence a chance to come out and learn about the Army.”

“We look for everybody, both men and women, with no major health issues and no criminal record,” Sergeant Gaines said.

Sgt. Gaines may have found at least one person to join his team.

Lawrence Williams, 20, came to the job fair to specifically learn about the Army.

“I want to join the Army,” Williams said. “I learned a lot today. Everything went really well.”

The 2013 Cairo/Thomasville Career Expo was sponsored by the Georgia Department of Labor Thomasville and Cairo Career Centers and the Thomas County and Grady County Employer committees, along with Georgia Department of Labor Veterans Services, the Thomasville-Thomas and Cairo-Grady County Chambers of Commerce, Thomasville Times-Enterprise, The Cairo Messenger, Radio Station WGRA and SWGTC.

Text Only

Homepage

In addition to job losses, the future use of South Pinetree Boulevard hospital buildings and the 64-acre campus is a concern.

SOUTHWESTERN STATE HOSPITAL CLOSING
DBHDD director says move ‘data driven’

May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Officials working to fill economic void
May 22, 2013
All rooms reserved for Central graduation
May 22, 2013
Archbold Memorial Hospital awarded Gold Seal ACR accreditation
May 21, 2013
Car trouble plagues shoplifting suspect
May 21, 2013

Local News

Rajagopalbabu Srinivasan examines a tomato plant.

Researchers battling tomato yellow leaf curl virus
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
‘IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT’
Employees express concerns about Southwestern’s future

May 21, 2013
Dogs used to uncover delicacy
May 21, 2013 1 Photo
Feces contaminates 58 percent of public swimming pools
Human feces taints more than half of public swimming pools, a finding U.S. health officials are using to urge better personal hygiene as the summer months approach.

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
Kia Optima is a hit with the buying public
When it comes to midsized family sedans, the Kia Optima ranks high on my list for its good looks, economy and value.

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
VIDEO: Man hands out Abercrombie clothes on Skid Row in bid to shame brand
Anger has mounted online against clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch due to comments made by its chief executive and its strategy of not making women's clothing in any size above large.

May 20, 2013 1 Photo

Calendar of events

Local Sports