Chamber, Workforce Solutions Hold Job Fair
Local residents had a chance to meet area employers and explore job opportunities during a Young County job fair held Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Olney Civic Center.
The event was sponsored by the Olney Chamber of Commerce and organized by Workforce Solutions North Texas, a regional agency that works in tandem with the Texas Workforce Commission to help connect employers with workers and assist residents with employment services.
About 17 people attended the job fair, according to Tracy Barrett, an employment specialist with Workforce Solutions North Texas, who said turnout was typical for a first-time event in a town the size of Olney.
“I wouldn’t say we knocked it out of the park, but we had about 17 people attend, which is typical for a town this size,” Ms. Barrett said. “It wasn’t a disappointment.”
Ms. Barrett, who works out of the Workforce Solutions office in Graham, said the agency regularly organizes job fairs in the counties it serves, but the event marked the first time one had been held in Olney during her tenure.
Workforce Solutions North Texas is based in Wichita Falls and also operates offices in Vernon, Bowie and Graham. Ms. Barrett said she has worked with the organization for about 13 years and has long believed Olney would be a good location for a job fair.
“We’ve always done it in Graham, but some of the towns where we have done job fairs are the same size as Olney,” she said. “Olney has some big employers, like Air Tractor and Tower [Extrusions]. I thought, why don’t we just add Olney into the rotation?”
After contacting the Olney Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Barrett said Chamber director Kimberly Smith agreed the event would be beneficial for the community. The chamber helped coordinate the use of the civic center and reach out to local employers.
Ms. Smith said the event provided a convenient opportunity for Olney residents who previously had to travel to Graham to attend similar job fairs.
“The Young County job fair in Olney was important for our local residents to be able to learn about local employers and get the chance to have onsite interviews,” Ms. Smith said. “In the past, residents had to drive to Graham for job fairs and we are happy that we were able to provide a local one.”
Ms. Smith said the Chamber hopes to continue partnering with Workforce Solutions to offer similar opportunities in the future.
“We hope to continue our partnership with Workforce Solutions so Olney residents can keep getting this wonderful opportunity,” she said.
In addition to organizing job fairs, Workforce Solutions offers a range of programs aimed at helping people find work or obtain training for higher-paying jobs. The agency also provides career counseling and support programs that teach practical skills such as interview preparation, goal setting, budgeting and workplace communication.
Ms. Barrett said some programs focus specifically on helping young adults transition from school to the workforce, including students ages 18 to 22 who may need additional guidance after graduation.
Workforce Solutions also administers training assistance through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program, which can help qualifying residents pay for certifications or training in fields such as welding, commercial driving Ms. Barrett said those occupations are among the most in-demand across the state.
“Statewide, the employees who are most sought after are anyone with a CDL and a clean driving record, welders and nursing positions, including LVNs, CNAs and RNs,” she said. “A lot of medical professions are needed, and people can walk out of school with a job.”
Residents who qualify — including those receiving unemployment benefits or meeting certain income guidelines — may be eligible for assistance through those programs.
Ms. Barrett said the goal of Workforce Solutions is simple: helping people build stable careers while ensuring local employers can find the workers they need.
“Our primary job is to help people find employment and help employers find workers,” she said.