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FOLLANSBEE -- Area residents seeking work will be able to learn about openings in a variety of fields and opportunities to develop new skills at a job fair to be held next weekend by the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce.
One of several events planned by the chamber, it will be held from 9 a.m. to noon July 17 at St. Francis Centre, with tables staffed by representatives of about 30 businesses, schools and job training programs.
Jeanne Wohnhas, who is co-chairing the event with Jacob Keeney of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, said there’s still space for others interested in interviewing or sharing information with job hunters.
There is no fee for the tables. Those interested should call (304) 794-6360 or (724) 914-8987 or (304) 527-3657.
Wohnhas said no appointments are required of job seekers, who need simply to show up dressed as they would for a job interview, with their best attitude and multiple resumes to give potential employers.
She noted staff at the American Job Centers in Wheeling and Weirton have offered to provide free assistance in preparing resumes for the occasion. For information, call (304) 232-6280 early in the week.
Overseen by the Northern Panhandle Workforce Investment Board, the centers connect eligible adults and youth with job opportunities and training throughout the year.
Wohnhas and Keeney have been working for several months with fellow chamber members Eric Fithyan, Charlotte Kolenc and Cindy Kocher to recruit schools and businesses from various sectors for the job fair.
Participating businesses from the industrial and construction fields include: Jupiter Aluminum, Marsh Bellofram, Eagle Manufacturing, a division of the Justrite Safety Group; Wheeling-Nippon Steel, formerly known as Wheeling-Nisshin Inc.; Pietro Fiorentini USA, JSW Steel, Lombardi Development, Fit Construction and Restoration, Kalkreuth Roofing and Weirton Lumber.
The health care, assisted living and home health fields will be represented by Weirton Medical Center, Brightwood Center Genesis, The Laurels of Steubenville, Golden Oaks, REM West Virginia, Capital Health Home Care and the Brooke County Senior Center.
There also will be representatives of such financial institutions as First National Bank, WesBanco, Hancock County Savings Bank and First Choice Community Federal Credit Union.
Also slated to appear are representatives of Coen Markets and American National Insurance.
Scheduled to appear to offer information about training and other assistance are West Liberty University, West Virginia Northern Community College, the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center, Jobs and Hope West Virginia and the Ohio Valley Business Alliance, formerly the Brooke County Economic Development Authority.
Under the leadership of President Debbie Puskarich, the chamber has organized several events this summer.
Chamber member Monica Myers has spearheaded a series of Sidewalk Saturdays in which businesses along Main Street are encouraged to have special promotions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 24, Aug. 21 and Sept. 11.
Several craft and other vendors also are slated to participate.
The chamber’s Monthly Monday Music Madness series of free community concerts also will continue from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 26 and Aug. 23.
The M-80s, an 80s tribute band, will perform on July 26 and the Ron Retzer Trio will appear on Aug. 23.
Chamber members have been invited to set up booths during the concerts.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)