“We want students to know what opportunities they have here in Logan County. We tend to lose some of our young people upon graduation,” said Erin Henry with the Logan County Chamber of Commerce. “We want them to be invited to stay. We want them to know they have a lot of opportunities back in Logan County.”
Some local employers have had a difficult time finding workers. For example, a month ago a group home closed because it had its license revoked and because of troubles finding qualified staff, putting 65 people out of a job.
RELATED: 65 jobs at risk as Logan County group home set to close
Businesses at the expo included health care, manufacturing, law enforcement, and financial institutions.
“This is the up and coming workforce, and being able to talk to them and engage them has been a fantastic opportunity for us,” said Jason Walters, a retail manager at Richwood Bank. “ … if someone is looking to get into the workforce, we have full-time part-time jobs in and out of branches.”
One student said the expo was a great opportunity to gain experience.
“When we go to college and stuff, we won’t have jobs. So it’ll give us a chance to have a job and get experience to go into the real world,” said Karissa Bailey, a senior.
Bailey and other students had the opportunity to learn about local businesses as well as job interviewing skills.
Another student said this will help her in the future.
READ MORE: Clark County manufacturers work to fill jobs, attract student
“This actually opens a lot of opportunities for me because I can still work while I’m in college,” said Olivia Amspaugh, a senior.
The expo was also a way for the chamber to learn what employers are looking for in future employees.
“We work hand in hand with the employers, and we hear what their complaints are or what their issues are trying to find qualified workers,” Henry said.
The event was organized by the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center in partnership with Logan County Chamber of Commerce and Logan County Job and Family Services.
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