The second in-person job fair in Emporia in four months was well attended by both potential employees and employers alike.
According to Southeast Kansas WORKS Director Katie Givens, the Emporia Stronger job fair held at the Humanitarian Center on Tuesday had more than 20 employers on hand from across Kansas.
Givens says this turnout from businesses and industries beyond Emporia’s borders underscored how significant the need for qualified employees is not just locally but across the state.
Audio PlayerTuesday’s event saw Southeast Kansas WORKS team up with Emporia Spanish speakers, a partnership that Givens says has been very beneficial not only for both organizations but for those needing services from both entities. Spanish Speakers Director Lelan Dains agreed and stated he believes Spanish Speakers’ presence at the job fair helped to provide some much needed comfort to many in attendance, specifically non-English speaking residents.
Audio PlayerTuesday’s job fair follows the Emporia Strong job fair that was held in January, just a month after both Tyson Foods and Holiday Resort announced their pending closures a day apart. While this situation would no doubt be stressful and likely cause a great amount of despair amongst workers, Dains says he has seen quite the opposite with many of the individuals they have interacted with in recent months.
Audio PlayerHe tells KVOE News that while the closure of Tyson was especially hard for the community, many of the displaced workers have embraced it as an opportunity for growth and new opportunities.
