By John Howell Sr.

Forty employers have signed up for the Northwest Area Job Fair at the Batesville Civic Center Thursday, July 15.

It is the sixth annual event in Batesville, sponsored by the Governor’s Job Fair Network and Batesville’s WIN Job Center. The job fair concept — bringing together in one place at one time employers who need workers with people looking for jobs — has been repeatedly successful, said Job Fair Network director Joe Buckner.

“Coming into this year, I was really worried, but it’s been overwhelmingly successful,” Brucker, speaking of the job fairs held to date during 2010 in Mississippi, told the members of the committee planning the event in Batesville.

During last year’s job fair at the Batesville Civic Center, 1,200 people seeking jobs came together with 48 employers looking for workers. On the day of last year’s job fair, 574 people were offered jobs. A projected 468 people were subsequently hired during the following year based on contacts made at the job fair, according to figures compiled by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

Employers are seeking a variety of skills — from truck drivers, law enforcement officers and welders to GE Aviation production associates and people who are interested in home-based businesses. Employers pay $150 each to participate, which allows the Governor’s Job Fair Network to produce the Job Fair at no cost to taxpayers, Buckner said.

In return, employers are able to save time interviewing and screening a number of applicants during the five-hour event. The event is still open to employers who are looking for workers. For additional information, contact the Batesville WIN Job Center at 662-563-7318.

People seeking jobs are urged to attend with a resume and a positive attitude. “Network with recruiters; recruiters talk to each other and may pass on your resume to another company,” Buckner said. A copy machine will be available for job seekers to make copies of their resume.

“Be ready to interview,” Buckner continued. “Think about how your skills will enhance the company you are interviewing with.”