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STEUBENVILLE -- The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce's Workforce Training and Education Committee is making plans for the second-annual Countywide Career Fair on Sept. 20.
This year's fair will be held at St. Florian Event Center in Wintersville from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature dozens of colleges and universities, technical schools, businesses, safety forces, labor unions, military recruiters and other organizations offering interactive experiences, information and services to area students. About 1,000 high schoolers from Jefferson, Harrison and Columbiana counties interacted with nearly 90 vendors organizers during the inaugural event in 2022, and organizers are hoping for a similarly successful turnout this year.
Chamber President Kate Sedgmer said about 75 vendors have signed up thus far and she hoped to see more take part.
"We're hoping to have more vendors this year, maybe 100 schools, community organizations and businesses, and there will be roundtables where students will meet one-on-one with individuals about what degrees or certifications to get to enter a field," said Sedgmer. "One of the nice things we are offering is a scavenger hunt where students can win iPads or laptops, and this encourages them to visit each vendor and get to know them."
She continued that businesses will also bring information on human resources and employee brochures so students leave with a true understanding of employment benefits. Students are invited from Buckeye Local, Steubenville Catholic Central, Edison, Harrison Central, Indian Creek, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities' School of Bright Promise, Jefferson County Christian School, Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, Steubenville, Toronto and Southern Local.
Sedgmer said the chamber committee, which includes 12 members representing school districts and businesses, came up with the idea as a way to showcase local businesses, educational opportunities and services.
"The committee talked about how school districts and businesses can better partner so graduates can enter the workforce locally and how to help students stay local or come back to the Ohio Valley after they graduate college. The best way is to know about the good-paying jobs when they return home."
Chuck Kokiko, superintendent of the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, who serves as the workforce training and education committee chairman, said the fair unifies events and provides resources for the students.
"One of the challenges we faced in years past were individual schools putting together career fairs for their students, which was taxing on our community partners when you are talking about dozens of schools in the area. Our goal was to create a single event that businesses could devote resources to and provide an engaging experience for the students," Kokiko added. "There is an abundance of opportunity in the Ohio Valley and our desire was to make students aware of as much as possible. We were very pleased with the year-one results and hope to continue to expand fair each year. If your school or organization did not participate last year, I encourage you to be a part of the event this year."
Sponsorships are available and, for now, include Summers Enterprise LLC, Interstate Waste Services Inc., Eastern Gateway Community College, TIMET- Titanium Metals Corp., Trinity Health System, Allegheny County Airport Authority and Hilscher-Clarke Electric Co. Anyone interested in being a vendor at the career fair can contact the chamber at (740) 282-6226.
Information is available online at www.jeffersoncountychamber.com/careerfair.