FRANKLIN
Where there’s a job fair, there’ll you find people seeking work, and the event on Wednesday at the Regional Workforce Development Center was no exception. Three-hundred and seventy-five people signed up, and an estimated 400-plus people attended. They met with 20 representatives of area businesses and schools seeking to recruit new and qualified people for employment or continued education.

Vendors included Care Advantage, Keurig Green Mountain, International Paper and Highground Services, to name a few.

The Tidewater News and the Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc. were the co-sponsors.

Aaliyah Walton of Suffolk said she was considering a warehouse job, which she likes. Armondi Patterson, also of Suffolk, said she feels that she’s been “looking for ages” to find some type of employment.

Ciara Banks of Franklin said, “I want to join with a company that will grow with you and help expand my skills.” She added that getting full-time work that offers insurance and a 401K is particularly desirable.

On the offering side, representatives such as Michele Tono of Care Advantage or Joey Collins of Waverly Health and Rehabilitation Center said they regularly attend these job fairs. Tono figured that she gets at least one to two qualified candidates each time; she’s looking for Personal Care Assistants, Certified Nurse’s Aides and Licensed Practical Nurses. Collins said he participates as they come available and work with many different schools, such as PDCCC or Chowan University, both which had booths.