By noon on Wednesday, more than 1,000 people had come through the doors at Mississippi University for Women”s Pohl gymnasium, looking for work.
For many, who had been unemployed for months, and some years, talking with human resource managers was a relief.
And actually getting to fill out applications at the Toyota booth was “encouraging,” said Towanda Williams, MUW”s assistant director of career services.
“Some of them have been out of work for a long time, so to be face to face with the vendors is good for them,” Williams said.
Around 11 a.m., Toyota, Severstal and American Eurocopter had the longest lines, with dozens of people waiting to offer their resumes and get more information about available positions.
Douglas Lucas, 51, of Amory, was among those in line at the Toyota booth.
“I”ve been all over the Internet and just haven”t had any luck,” Lucas said of his job search.
He”s been out of work since June; before then, he worked in maintenance for 25 years.
“It”s tough right now,” he said.
Toyota plans to start production at a new plant in Blue Springs by fall 2011.
“Between now and then, we”re just trying to build up our employment pool,” said Deanna Mayberry, human resources specialist for team-member relations.
The company will hire about 2,000 people for the production line, maintenance and some salary positions.
Lee Soden, 20, of Pontotoc, was waiting to talk to American Eurocopter.
“I”m trying to get a good-paying job with good benefits,” said Soden, who currently works for Sam”s Town Casino in Tunica. He”s been looking for work for two years.
American Euocopter was looking to hire avionics technicians, order processors and airframe and powerplant mechanics.
Sherry Ellis, 47, of Columbus was a victim of cutbacks at Fred”s in July.
“Work is out there,” she said, confident she would find work soon. “It might not be what you want, but if you need to take care of bills and take care of your family, it”s out there.”
Ellis has worked in management and retail for nearly two decades.
Employers at the job fair said many people they talked with were highly skilled workers.
“That”s the problem,” said Ativa Prater, human resources representative for Severstal. “Trying to get through all the skilled people to get down to the number you need.
“You got all these companies that may have shut down,” he continued. “These are skilled people. They”ve been working the same job for 20 years.”
“We”re getting a wide variety of skilled laborers,” echoed Mayberry, adding Toyota will hire workers at any skill level and can train those without any previous experience.
More than 50 employers were at the job fair, including branches of the military, local colleges, Ikon Office Solutions, Sitel customer service outsourcing, Tower Loan, Urban Radio Broadcasting, the Waffle House, Walmart, the CPI Group and the Truck Driver Institute. Zaxby”s restaurant also was represented at the employment expo. The restaurant is opening a location on Highway 45 North in Columbus.
While some left the job fair hopeful, others were unimpressed with the showing.
“There”s really nothing there,” said one visitor, as she left the gym.
“Only about two places are doing any real hiring,” another said.
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