By WESLIE STRATTON
Moapa Valley Progress
Regional workforce development organization Mesquite Works hosted a successful job fair on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at the Rising Star Sports Ranch in Mesquite. The event provided the opportunity for employers to connect with job seekers on a large scale.
According to fair coordinator Linda Rino, 29 agencies and businesses participated in the fair looking for future employees.
“Every single (company) that signed up is here,” Rino said. “There were no no-shows.”
Rino said that the event allows employers to conduct on the spot interviews and hiring.
“The energy is so powerful,” Rino said, “There were over 100 jobseekers that came within the first hour. Its an incredible turn out.”
Kim Woolsey with Primex Plastics Corporation said that she was able to conduct five interviews in two hours during her time at the job fair.
“The one thing I would say about the job fair is that people completely underestimate what a value it is,” Woolsey said. “It’s only $200 (for an employer to enter) and you get to see 200 applicants. You immediately get to do a short little interview that already puts you a step ahead of the game.”
Woolsey said that being on the Mesquite Works board benefits her in helping to direct job seekers as well.
“It’s nice to know who is hiring so that if I do have someone come up and talk to me that isn’t a good fit I know that Eagles Landing is hiring,” she said. “If there’s someone who is a manager, I’m not hiring any managers but Wendy’s is looking for four or five managers. It’s nice to be able to draw off of each other.”
Primex has 10 positions open. Those interested can contact Woolsey at (702) 346-7100.
Whitney Badger participated in the event as a representative from Litehouse, a salad dressing manufacturer in Hurricane, Utah.
“We’re undergoing a huge expansion so we have a lot of positions available,” Badger said. “This has been a perfect opportunity for us to come down right now. Even though we’re based out of Hurricane, to come down and use this source for people (is a benefit).”
Badger agreed that event participants were able to help each other find the right employees.
“I like having all of the businesses tied in too; because if someone shows up for Primex but they’re actually a fit for me and vice versa,” she said. “It actually works to the employers benefit to participate.”
Lighthouse is currently hiring a warehouse manager, machine techs, line attendants, QA technicians, forklift operators, receptionist/admin assistant, drivers and more with entry level wages beginning at $13 per hour. Those interested can contact Badger at (435) 705-7300.
Eagles Landing General Manager Kenny Huff said that the highly anticipated business is set to open October 16 and that they are looking to hire at least 50 employees. He said that they have positions available in the deli, maintenance, cashiers and in the liquor store.
“I think that Wendy’s is probably going to have between 40 to 50 themselves,” he said. “So overall it’s going to be probably over 100.”
Huff said that the company wants to create the environment that employees and customers want to be in.
“We’re going to have a beautiful, huge facility. It’s going to be really nice,” Huff said. Those interested in employment with Eagles Landing can contact Huff at kenny@eagleslandingmgmt.com.
Other participating businesses with open positions included Nevada State Bank, Highland Manor, Camel Safari and more.
