Gaston EDC to hold job fair on Tuesday
The Gaston County Economic Develop Commission is holding a job fair on Tuesday, the largest job fair that the EDC has sponsored.
The job fair, which will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Gaston County Public Library, will consist solely of Gaston County manufacturing companies who are seeking workers, said Richard Randall, the existing industry manager for the EDC. The Gaston EDC is collaborating with Gaston County's workforce development team to hold the event.
Manufacturing companies have been having trouble both hiring and retaining workers, Randall said.
"They are raising their wages. Even the lower end manufacturing jobs have moved up into the $17, $18 an hour type thing, which is good," Randall said. "And then all of these are paying good benefits that go along with that type of employment that you don't see in a lot of other areas."
He said that the effects of the pandemic have tightened the market, and that has coincided with economic growth in the area.
"A lot of them are hiring and are very eager to bring people on," he said.
Around 20 manufacturing companies will have representatives at the fair, which is being held as part of Gaston County's 2022 Manufacturing Week.
On Wednesday, LauRen Merola, a radio host on Kiss 95.1, will speak at Camelot Meadows in Belmont. (Registration is required.) On Thursday, there will be tours of manufacturing companies Owens Corning and Rochling. Participants are required to RSVP by emailing alisha.summey@gastongov.com.
You can reach Kara Fohner at 704-869-1850 or email her at KFohner@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gaston Economic Development Commission to hold job fair on Tuesday
