'We're hiring': Licking Valley job fair shows demand for workers remains high

HANOVER ― They weren't exactly "kids in a candy store." But Licking Valley High School students attending last week's job fair in the auxiliary gym definitely received an eye-opening experience as to what's available for employment in the area.

Thirty businesses and companies were on hand to showcase opportunities in skilled trades, construction, health care, warehouses, retail, customer service, food service, transportation and engineering, and the military.

"There are so many job opportunities right now," said Sue Larry of Ohio Means Jobs Licking County, which put on the event coordinated by Deanna Bennett of Valley. "Internships, seasonal and part-time employment, which can lead into full-time employment," Larry said.

"We want to help them with the resources available, everyone ranging from freshmen to seniors," added Joseph Johnson of Ohio Means Jobs. "Make the opportunities known to them, and they can find what they like."

Ashley Brennan of Fanatics is excited to be able to get out and recruit people for jobs, after not being able to see them for so long due to COVID.

"We've hired 1,000 so far, and we need 800 more," Brennan said. "Different shifts, part-time and full-time. Jobs range from $18.50 to $20 an hour. We hosted a job fair Oct. 15, and 260 showed up. Last Saturday, 107 came in."

Brennan said Fanatics, located in Muskingum County, is trying to reach out to neighboring Licking County.

"We just opened up part-time positions for kids in school," she said. "They were shocked to know that we're that close, just 20 miles to the east."

Valley senior Eli Kyle said he applied to Fanatics.

"It's cool to see everyone out here, looking for better opportunities," he said. "Personally, I would like something seasonal, at least until college." He plans to attend Ohio University.

Daryl Jones came up from Marietta to find students interested in becoming electricians. He was representing the Newark Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) and IBEW Local 1105.

"There's such a need for apprentices. It's a four-year program. We had 130 last year and we want to take 130 this year," Jones said. "With doubling the size of the Facebook facility, and with Intel coming, there's so much work out there."

Jesse Mitchell, representing Claypool Electric, said his company's model is big on sustainability and growth.

"A lot of large companies are moving into the area," Mitchell said. "We have a lot of interest from young students who aren't sure what they want to do. We can get their career started in high school, with training. If you're a freshman or sophomore, I try to promote C-Tec. I recommend the program as a springboard to get ahead on the training."

"I want to be an electrician or get into construction, and this is a very good opportunity," said Valley student Kyler Morris. "I'm looking at welding, or might want to become an electrician," Wesley Higgins said. "Learn what they pay and what the opportunities are. Claypool Electric is hiring locally, and I want to stay in the county."

Valley students were glad to get a look at what's out there and what might spark their interest.

"Just learning about why they're hiring, and especially, getting ideas for jobs," sophomore Daizi Hardbarger said. "I'm looking at engineering, and right now, I'm just looking for local jobs, either in labor or customer service," said sophomore Evan Mox.

Companies represented last week at Valley included Abercrombie and Fitch, Accurate Electric Construction, Altercare, Altitude Trampoline Park, Ascena Retail Group, Claypool Electric, Delta Apparel, Englefield Oil/Duke and Duchess/Tic Tac Taco, Family Focused Home Health Care, Fanatics, Gutridge, Harry and David, Hendrickson, Houston Plumbing and Heating, Journey's, Kohl's, Layton Services, Licking County Memorial Health Care System, McDonald's, Moo Moo Car Wash, MPW Industrial Services, Newark Electrical JATC/IBEW 1105, Ohio Department of Transportation, Park National Bank, Pet Supplies Plus, Robertson Construction, Texas Roadhouse, Turner Construction, Walmart and the United States Army.

"Licking Valley does this in the spring and fall, for seasonal, and we're trying to get together with more schools around the county," Larry said. "We've also done these at Lakewood, Newark and Heath, and we hope to branch out into the western part of the county."

dweidig@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking Valley job fair affords students many opportunities