Job fair to feature more than 850 jobs-Danville,VA-Jan. 25
January 24, 2007
DANVILLE - With more than 850 jobs available, job seekers will have a tremendous variety of opportunities at the community-wide Job Fair Thursday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research in Danville.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 5:43 PM EST
There are now approximately 40 employers signed up to participate in the job fair, representing over 850 available jobs.
The job fair will feature a number of our new companies and expanding companies while also offering information on training and educational resources available for job seekers.
“The job fair has been specifically designed to help our employers secure the best applicants for their available positions, and to allow job seekers the opportunity to find the jobs for which they are most qualified,� said Laurie Moran, president of Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, which is helping sponsor the event.
Job seekers who are interested in manufacturing, retail, skilled trades, healthcare, education, administrative, clerical, customer service and service positions will find jobs available at Thursday's event.
“While many of the employers require a high school education or equivalent, there will be jobs available for all interested job seekers, ranging from unskilled to highly skilled,� said Sherman Saunders, executive director of Pittsylvania County Community Action Inc., another sponsor of the event.
PCCA has Virginia Workforce Centers in Danville and Chatham.
“In addition, education and training providers will be available for job seekers who want to improve their educational level and skills,� Saunders added.
As part of the job fair, Bennett Mechanical assessments will be offered for those employers who utilize this assessment tool in their selection process.
Bennett Mechanical assessments, which are used by such companies as Swedwood, Arista Tubes, Essel Propack, DanChem and EIT, will be offered beginning at 10:30 a.m. until 2:15 p.m.
The assessment takes 30 minutes to complete.
In addition to the employers that will be set up in the Great Hall at the Institute, Swedwood will hold informational sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a new session scheduled every 45 minutes until 2:15 p.m.
Swedwood representatives will be available until 4 p.m. for individuals who have questions about the company and its job opportunities.
Swedwood is a division of IKEA, a Swedish furniture maker that plans to build a manufacturing plant at Danville's and Pittsylvania County's joint industrial park in Ringgold.
The plant, which will employ about 300 people, is scheduled to open early next year.The job fair will feature a “help desk� staffed by volunteers from partnering agencies who will provide assistance to job seekers.
The computer lab will also be available for job seekers who want to apply online where employers require the online application.
Employers who are signed up to participate in the Job Fair include Adecco, Alliance, a Rock-Tenn Company, Ameristaff, Arista Tubes, Armet Armored Vehicle, City of Danville, Columbia Flooring, DanChem, Danville Pittsylvania County Community Services, Danville Public Schools, Danville Regional Medical Center, Debbie's Staffing, EIT, Essel Propack, eToys Direct, Green Rock Correctional Center, Gretna Healthcare Center, Kelly Services, Lowe's (of Danville, Martinsville and South Boston), Loyalton of Danville, Luna Innovations, Mary Kay Cosmetics, the Navy, Norfolk Police Department, PetSmart, Piedmont Broadcasting, Piedmont Staffing, Piney Forest Healthcare Center, Pittsylvania County Schools, Primerica, Riverside Healthcare Center, Social Security Administration, StarTek, Star Tribune, Swedwood, Sylvan Learning Center, Techma, Telvista, Unarco, Virginia Customer Services Call Center (Tier), and Yorktowne.
Job seekers who need additional information can call the Virginia Workforce Center at (434) 792-3061, (434) 432-3429, or (276) 632-3271.
A shuttle service will be provided to the Institute from Piedmont Mall's lower parking lot near Boscov's and Piedmont Mall Drive beginning at 9:40 a.m.
There is no charge for the shuttle service. The last time the bus will depart from the mall to the institute will be 1:40 p.m.
The job fair is being coordinated by community workforce organizations and agencies.
Partners include the Virginia Workforce Center, the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research, the City of Danville's Economic Development office, Pittsylvania County Economic Development, the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, the West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board, Pittsylvania County Community Action, Danville Community College, National College, the Virginia Employment Commission, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, Telamon Corporation, Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Ministerial Alliance, the Longwood University Small Business Development Center: Dan River, the Dan River Business Development Center, the Department of Social Services, and Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services.
Source: Star Tribune, Chatham, VA, Jan. 23, 2007
