DAPHNE – The 2021 Baldwin County Career and Job Fair will give job seekers a chance to look for employment in the improving labor market as well as ways to restart some careers interrupted by COVID-19, event organizers said.
The fair will be Tuesday, March 2 at the Daphne Civic Center. The event will be from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce is conducting the fair. Christina Hellmich, chamber director of workforce development, said a wide variety of employers will be at the event looking for new workers.
“We do have some hospitality participating along with some other industries,” Hellmich said. “We have education. We have aerospace. We have healthcare. We have banking. Most of the ones that are participating are the ones who have jobs available. There are definitely jobs out there, especially coming up on our tourism season. This is just a great opportunity for those that are searching for a job. It’s a great place to start your job search or continue your job search because there are jobs out there.”
This year’s career fair will feature a workshop at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. titled “Reinventing Yourself After COVID-19” presented by Josh Duplantis, dean of workforce development at Coastal Alabama Community College.
“This is a great time for some people to rethink what their career aspirations are,” Hellmich said. “You can reinvent yourself right now. There’s a lot of opportunity here in South Alabama for people to look at some alternatives to what they are doing currently or before the pandemic.”
She said many workers who were laid off after recent events are considering different opportunities.
“Maybe there’s a certification that you want to look at,” Hellmich said. “I think we learned a lot about what is an essential employee. Maybe people don’t want to go down the path of being laid off again, whether it’s from a hurricane or a pandemic or whatever. Let’s look at our essential employees and those opportunities.”
She said organizers are taking precautions against the spread of COVID-19 while working to allow employers and job seekers a chance to meet in person.
“We heard from participants taken part over the last couple of years that they really wanted some face-to-face time and not just virtual,” Hellmich said. “We felt like we needed to give it a shot and see how we could do it.”
Booths will be spaced apart to allow for social distancing with barriers between each display.
“We are making improvement but still have a way to go in order to get to our pre-COVID historical lows. Knowing the needs of potential employers and with employees in mind, we are excited to offer this “in person” opportunity.” said Hellmich. “The most impactful way to regain our quality of life is through meaningful employment. So, you don’t want to miss out.”
The Baldwin County Career and Job Fair is an in-person event and will follow state health guidelines concerning COVID-19, including limited attendance, social distancing and masks.
Job seekers are encouraged to come dressed for an interview and bring resumes.
The Alabama Career Center will be on hand to assist job seekers. The title sponsor of the fair is Riviera Utilities.
Anyone wanting more information on the Career and Job Fair or to apply as an employer can go to the chamber website at www.eschamber.org/career-fair or call the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce at 251-928-6387.
