Representatives from several companies and organizations in the Lynchburg region hope to attract veterans by attending a job fair in Hampton Roads today.
The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has held the job fair in Hampton Roads for 22 years. Last year, more than 1,000 people attended looking for information on careers, according to the chamber.
This is the first year that a group of regional businesses has gone to the expo to promote the region together, said Lee Cobb, the soon-to-retire executive director of Region 2000’s Economic Development Council.
Region 2000 has shifted focus toward workforce development since 2006, when the group asked local businesses to help it set
priorities.
“The suggestion made to me at that time by one of the company presidents was we should really look at trying to recruit people that are separating from the military,” Cobb said.
Traci Blido, Region 2000’s communications officer, said, “The local businesses keep saying they can’t find enough workers in certain jobs, especially technical jobs like
engineering.”
“We knew that, because we’ve got so many active duty personnel that are serving our country and coming back … they have the kinds of skills that our local companies need.”
Cobb said he and the representatives from local companies would try to convey that the region is a good, affordable place to raise a family and have a career.
Seven area companies, including Advanced Manufacturing Technology Inc., the Babcock & Wilcox Co., Areva, Centra Health, Hurt & Proffitt, Southern Air Inc. and the Lynchburg Police Department are
registered at the job fair.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement