OhioMeansJobs of Lorain County hosts third annual Career Expo

OhioMeansJobs hosted its third annual Career Expo at Midway Mall, 3343 Midway Mall in Elyria, in light of In Demand Jobs week.

The May 8 event featured over 70 employers representing a variety of industries for job seekers, according to Chris Durkin, business service coordinator for the Lorain County Workforce Development Agency.

Tables filled the mall food court and included businesses and organizations such as the Elyria Public Library System, Lorain County Community College, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Dollar Bank, Consumers Builders Supply Co., Blue Technologies, ResCare and many more.

“This is really the most effective thing that we do; the turnout is excellent,” Durkin said. “I’m impressed with the variety of employers that we have here, as well as the variety of job seekers that we have.”

Durkin said the Career Expo, as with other job fairs, helps ease the miscommunication that may happen when applying for jobs online or through other avenues.

Face-to-face interaction can allow for easier conversations and accelerate one’s job application process, he said.

“I always get employers that tell me they did really well,” Durkin said. “It’s something that just doesn’t happen any other way.”

Jillian Riddell McDonnell, a certified brick specialist for Consumers Builders Supply Co., said she had never registered for a career fair prior to the expo, and was impressed with the number of employers and job seekers.

An interested candidate had the chance to schedule an interview within the first hour of the event, Riddell McDonnell said.

“It (the turnout) shows the real need in Lorain County for open positions and trying to find good help,” she said. “Ultimately, I think we can really start putting some people to work now that we’re all together in one place.”

According to Durkin, the Lorain County Port Authority was gracious in opening space in Midway Mall for the Career Expo, as it serves as a valuable resource in Lorain County.

“I definitely want to thank the folks here at the mall,” he said. “It amazes me how gorgeous it is in here.”

The Midway Mall has hosted job fairs in the past, however, this was a first for OhioMeansJobs, Durkin said.

“I think it’s fantastic we’re using a space like Midway Mall,” Riddell McDonnell said. “I think it’s central to the county which is important for people being able to access the positions.”

For more information, visit www.loraincountyworks.com or call 440-324-5244.