The idea that people “don’t want to work” might just be the furthest from the truth.
Following Thursday’s “Step Into A Job” Fair at the Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville, more than 200 individuals — either already employed, or seeking such status — had a chance to visit with 58 businesses and industries from Kentucky’s Pennyrile region and northwest Tennessee.
While attendance may have been a little slimmer than last fall’s “ComeBack” Job Fair, things look a little different a year later. COVID-19 vaccines and improved treatments have reopened career doors. Higher inflation has brought some out of retirement. Others are seeking better benefits than the ones they currently have.
Tom Sholar, West Kentucky Workforce Board business liaison, said many people were either looking for part-time work, or were specifically searching out businesses they knew were in attendance.
Sheila Clark, WKWB’s long-time director, noted the workers of today face a great number of challenges before accepting, and keeping, the right job. Maybe they don’t have adequate child or after-school care. Maybe they enjoy working from home, as opposed to an automated or office setting. Or maybe they need certain health benefits that only a few certain industries can provide.
Whatever the reason, Clark said it’s workers…and not really employers…who are dictating the market.
Her observation: people want to go to work; they just want to go to work on their own terms. And they want work that will fit into their lives.
Clark further noted that, in general, all employees nationwide should always be looking for the next new job.
And not because of a lack of loyalty, or this desire to scratch a random career itch. But because one should always know their value and worth in the current job market.
Clark reflected on an unnamed regional employer, one who’d been here a long time, who wanted to “get past” his human resource office — and take a look at the job fair and see the setting for himself.
Of the 58 businesses and industries represented, 35 of them were listed as second-chance employers — meaning they were willing to take on individuals with criminal backgrounds, in an effort to empower and impact those who had perhaps made a prior bad decision.
A list of the businesses who attended:
1) Hopkinsville Community College
2) Delavan Fluid Power
3) Plymouth Engineered Shapes
4) Novelis
5) Wabash
6) Homecare Products, Inc. — EZ ACCESS
7) SMX Staff Management
8) TGASK
9) United States Postal Service
10) FLEXcon North America
11) HUHTAMAKI
12) The Edge Media Group
13) FNB Bank
14) Metalsa
15) TempsPlus
16) Flynn Enterprises, LLC
17) Audobon Area Community Services
18) Hines Furlong Line
19) Continental Mills, LLC (Soon to the “The Krusteaz Company”)
20) Sanctuary, Inc.
21) Jennie Stuart Health
22) Kentucky State Penitentiary
23) Department of Corrections
24) Western Kentucky Correctional Complex
25) PACS-KYNECT
26) Pennyrile Allied Community Services
27) Xtek Precision Maintenance
28) Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
29) H&R Agri-Power
30) Moutain Comprehensive Care Center
31) Clark Associates / Webstaurantstore
32) Porter Road
33) Trigg County Hospital
34) Legacy Metals, LLC
35) United Southern Bank
36) Douglas Autotech Corporation
37) Pregis
38) Christian County Water District
39) Carpenters Local 357
40) Load Covering Solutions
41) US Army
42) Teleworksusa.com
43) City of Hopkinsville
44) Marquette Transportation
45) WoodmenLife
46) Hankook Tire
47) Yamakin Corporation
48) Kentucky Lumber
49) Pennyroyal Center
50) Commonwealth Agri Energy
51) T.RAD North America
52) Manpower
53) Progress Rail Services
54) Christian County Public Schools
55) Stanley Engineered Fastening
56) McGee Pest Control, Inc.
57) Cumberland Hall Hospital
58) Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville
