FPL, HRMC, USSC and Workforce Development Board sponsor

Glades Hendry Job Fair a success

  The Glades Hendry Job Fair and Career Expo, coordinated by the Glades County Economic Development Council, Hendry County Economic Development Council and Career and Service Centers of Southwest Florida March 15 was a rousing success, according to Glades County EDC executive director Tracy Whirls. “We had 15 companies, including sponsors FPL, Hendry Regional Medical Center and US Sugar participate,” Ms. Whirls said, noting that the Workforce Development Board also sponsored.

“More importantly, 128 jobseekers registered during the event, and we’re continuing to receive calls and walk-ins interested in the job training and employment opportunities offered at the fair,” Ms. Whirls said.

Sponsor FPL and Zachry, the company contracting with FPL to build the new FPL West County Energy natural gas plant at Loxahatchee this spring, reported that they spoke to nearly 30 candidates for positions either with the utility itself or candidates looking for construction positions. West County Power Partners, LLC will begin hiring by the end of May to fill 900 construction jobs, related to the construction of the  natural-gas electricity plant at 20-mile bend in Loxahatchee.

 The company will be hiring pipefitters, welders, laborers, carpenters, cement finishers, millwrights, ironworkers, electricians and even some clerical staff. While some skilled positions will be needed, opportunities will be available for laborers and “green helpers,” with salaries expected to range from $10-$11.25 an hour to start. Applicants must be 18, but no high school diploma is required.The company will be providing training for positions in welding and other trades and with the expected 50 hour per week work week, with jobs paying time and a half over 40 hours, even the entry level positions will be competitive.  Skilled tradesmen can expect to do even better, with positions available for NCCR certified journeymen starting out at $22 an hour.

  “Everyone I’ve spoken to has been very interested in these job opportunities. We’ve had more than six requests from folks who missed the job fair for information on the positions available and where to apply. We even received an email from the city of South Bay, saying what a great opportunity it was for the area and asking for information to allow jobseekers to apply for jobs after the fair,” Ms. Whirls said.  “We will continue to make that info available to anyone who asks, as well as posting it on our website.” Armor Correctional Services, the healthcare company which will provide healthcare services to the new Glades Detention Center interviewed approximately 50 jobseekers during the Job Fair and Career Expo. and said they would call back 25. According to … “it was a great opportunity to meet folks in the community and present the company.

 Long time area employers and sponsor United States Sugar Corporation reported recruiting five potential new employees. GEO Group, which recently completed construction of a new housing unit and is seeking approximnately 40 new corrections officers reported identifying three new candidates. Unlike many job fairs, which typically target adults, turnout at the joint Glades and Hendry EDC event was almost equally divided between adults and high school students. “Glades and Hendry County have long suffered from a brain drain, wherein the best and brightest, if they weren’t interested in a career in agriculture or education, left the area to begin their careers,” Ms. Whirls said. “We wanted to show that the land of opportunity is here—to show young people that they don’t have to leave home to get a really good job.”

  Toward that end, highschools from around Lake Okeechobee and the Heartland were invited to participate and educational opportunities, ranging from Edison College to the Education Center of Southwest Florida, to Techbridge, the computer training program in Clewiston were profiled. Henkels and McCoy, which provides computer training classes for young adults, under 21, interviewed 15 potential students and expected 6 to follow up.

“The expo went well and gave us the opportunity to interact with a lot of good partners and employers we may be able to serve, as well as potential students,” … said.

 Education Center executive director Sonny Hughes reported interviewing 6 potential students and was still receiving applications from others nearly a month after the event. “We were disappointed that more high schools didn’t take advantage of the opportunity,” Ms. Whirls said, noting that Moore Haven High School registered 70 juniors and seniors during the event and would be using the power point, created by EDC administrative assistant Valerie Jacobs as part of their career education program.  “We recognize that schools very often begin planning their field trips as soon as school starts in the fall, and we put this together in three months,” Ms. Whirls said. “We will be continuing discussions with Hendry County EDC director Janice Groves and Maria Rios from the Career and Service Center about continuing the job fairs as a regional event, and we welcome input from EDC members and the public,” Ms. Whirls said. For more information concerning career opportunities highlighted at the Glades Hendry Job Fair and Career Expo, email twhirls@gladescountyedc.com or phone (863) 946-0300.