Cathlamet library holds first job fair

Twenty-five job-seekers were waiting for Worksource staff when they came to Cathlamet last Wednesday to host a job fair. Six staff from Worksource in Kelso, part of the state’s Employment Security Department (ESD), brought lists of available jobs, resources and provided assistance with resume writing to local job-seekers.

Worksource, which connects employers with prospective employees set up at the Blanche Bradley Public Library, on their first trip to Cathlamet since last fall. ESD recorded Wahkiakum County’s unemployment at 13.9 in March.

Featured jobs ranged from a janitor working swing-shifts on call for $9.00 an hour to a Shipping Operator 3, with 12-hour shifts earning $18.18 per hour. Other jobs included a billing clerk in collections, an assistant clinic manager and a supervisor in a cabinet shop with wages depending on experience. Most of the positions were in the Longview-Kelso area, business services consultant Donna Hughes said. “We’d like to serve more local employers,” she said, noting that services are free.

Evelyn Feaster, a recruiter from Chesterfield, a home care agency new to Longview, handed out applications and talked about the wages and training certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and caregivers receive. The company started in Seattle in 1998 and opened in Longview 10 months ago, she said.

Worksource business services consultant Sandy Tilton said several new employers in the region are or will be hiring. EGT Development is building a grain terminal at the Port of Longview. Skyline Steel, a new steel pipe manufacturing plant, locating at the Port of Longview, is advertising for welders with three years experience for $15-18 per hour depending on experience, and Bennu Glass, LLC, which purchased the former Cameron Glass facility in Kalama will be hiring, she said.

Town Librarian Connie Christopher provided employment services in the private sector, providing outplacement for Techtronics and other firms in Camas, Anchorage and San Diego, “some years ago, when employers paid for services,” she said. As a result of the interest shown at the job fair, Christopher created a bulletin board with information for job-seekers.

Worksource staff provided information about programs for veterans and the long-term unemployed—those unemployed for over 18 months. Funds for interviewing clothes, transportation to interviews and uniforms may be available to long-term unemployed depending on a client’s needs, Worksource’s Maranda Erjardt said.

After meeting with over 30 job-seekers on Thursday, Nona Mallicoat, administrator and co-director of Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Worksource, said she was considering returning monthly. The library provided a good location with computers and Wi-Fi available, she said. More information is available at http://www.go2worksource.com.

Another job fair has been scheduled for June 22.