Jobs and seekers united

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Job & Career Fair brought together 65 employers and a healthy crowd of job hunters Thursday.

Counting the number of people in attendance is difficult, but approximately 1,000 were expected to attend, said Director for Career Advising and Outreach Mary Shannon. Visitors came from the community and from schools in Grant, Adams and Lincoln counties.

"It's bigger and better than ever," Shannon said.

Opportunities varied from working for technological corporations such as Microsoft, Yahoo! and REC Silicon, to working in the medical field for Columbia Basin Hospital, Samaritan Healthcare and Quincy Valley Medical Center.

Educational institutions advertised their opportunities as well, including Othello School District and Moses Lake School District. Quincy Foods, ConAgra Foods and National Frozen Foods were among industries offering information at the event.

"They're hiring, but they want qualified people," Shannon said. "So, this is a chance to find out what qualifications employers want."

The college offers training opportunities so job seekers can obtain the qualifications necessary for their desired field, she said. For example, BF Goodrich told her they are looking for 300 aviation mechanics, she said. Big Bend offers an aviation mechanics program.

Maintenance Supervisor for ConAgra Foods Ralph Craig said the company is the second largest food processor in the United States. The Quincy-based Lamb Weston Division came to the fair looking to fill several positions in the company.

"Even if we don't find anybody, our prospects are a heck of a lot better than sitting at home," Craig said.

He was personally seeking five prep mechanics to fill a shortage of maintenance workers. The shortage is not confined to the company, he said.

"It's industry-wide," he said. "Actually, it's territory-wide."

The public turnout at the event was impressive, he said.

JR Simplot Human Resources Administrator Amanda Girven said the company was seeking salary and hourly employees.

"It's been wonderful," Girven said. "It's been great turnout, great people. Lots of questions, we like it."

Spokane residents Brittany Asburry and Bobe Swanson said they are hoping to move to Moses Lake and wanted to see the job opportunities available.

"It's nice because I'm not really from the area, so it's good to see what they have to offer," Asburry said.

Students from Sage Hills Alternative School in Ephrata were among those who traveled to Big Bend for the job fair. Shea Mills, 18, said job opportunities at Microsoft and Yahoo! interested him most.

"We're seniors, so we're getting everything together," Mills said.