Chambers Join SCET to Match Job Seekers with Employers
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By Dan Marschall
About 150 mature job seekers attended the Age of Opportunity Job and Volunteer Fair, a first-of-its kind regional event which attracted employers from three counties in the Eau Claire, Wis., area.
Service companies, a health care system, restaurants, a high-technology firm, and Mega Foods, an independent grocery business, participated in the event, which was held in mid-September at Oakwood Mall, a popular destination for shoppers and exercise walkers.
Job seekers had the opportunity to meet with more than 15 prospective employers, including a high-tech manufacturing firm that had hired hundreds of employees in recent years. “The work ethic is so much better among mature employees,” Karen Supple of TTM Technologies said. “It is second to none.”
Bruce Schroeder of Colfax, Wisc., said he found the fair helpful. “All the neat jobs that were there when I went back to school were not there when I got out. I have effectively used up my retirement resources and now I have to go back to work. I made a great connection here.”
About three-fourths of the job seekers were interested in part-time work, according to a survey compiled by Katy Kiley, workforce and project director for the Eau Claire chamber. Most of them were attracted to job openings in the service, hospitality, retail and health care industries.
What did employers like about the event? In the words of one exhibitor: “Talking with applicants – they were wonderful, they were excited about the possibility of working (and) you don't see that very often.”
Liz Anderson, executive director of Senior Citizens Employment and Training, Inc. (SCET), worked closely with local employers and leaders of the Chambers of Commerce from Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls and the Greater Menomonie Area to organize the event, which marked the group's first joint effort. Bob McCoy, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce president, has been an advocate for older workers, urging area employers to hire them for full-time positions, part-time work, and special project assignments. Senior Service America Inc. cosponsored the event.