Oberlin Community Services job fair aims to connect people to employers, education opportunities

OhioMeansJobs Lorain County hosted a job fair Jan. 16 Oberlin Community Services, 500 E. Lorain St., to connect attendees with employers and education opportunities.

General Plug & Manufacturing, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, Lorain County Community Action Agency and tool company RIDGID were at the event advertising job openings.

The Ohio Veterans Home, Lorain County Community College, EHOVE Career Center, Lorain County JVS provided information on educational services and other resources they offer.

Chris Durkin, business services coordinator for OhioMeansJobs Lorain County, said his organization is all about helping people with securing jobs, which can be a daunting process.

OhioMeansJobs Lorain County helps people with application skills like resumes and interviews, but also job skills and connecting people with the education they need, Durkin said.

The organization welcomes people of all levels of experience and encourages them to make mistakes, he said.

“Come here and make all the mistakes here,” Durkin said. “Get it out of your system so you know what your strengths are when you’re going into an interview.”

Durkin said people on unemployment often get referred to OhioMeansJobs, but it also can be for people who just want to switch employment in a world where the job search can be confusing and difficult.

“Looking for a job is a job in and of itself,” he said. “It’s a skill that most of us aren’t born with, and it’s a skill we seldom use.”

One of the big emphases of OhioMeansJobs is connecting people with employers.

Durkin encourages people to make professional connections as much as they can.

Even just talking to friends can lead to work opportunities, he said.

“Giving a referral to someone increases the odds of getting a job there,” Durkin said. “Everything in life is relationships.”

The job fair at Oberlin Community Services, which will take place every two months, provided an opportunity for people to make those kinds of connections with local employers and educational institutions.

LCCC advertised at the event its Fast-Track Certificate of Completion, which gives students important skills in their field in just one semester.

Some of the work areas that this program targets are automation engineering technology, microelectronic mechanical systems and manufacturing.

EHOVE Career Center, a vocational school in Erie County, offers job skill education to adults.

The nurse training program is popular, but that the trade-based programs are looking for more students, according to EHOVE.

Lorain County JVS advertised its adult career center as well, highlighting customized training that can prepare people to work in specific industries.