NEWTON COUNTY — Tons of of Newton County residents took to Georgia Piedmont Technical Faculty (GPTC) on Thursday within the spirit of financial improvement.
The annual Regional Job Fest occasion is an enormous networking and employment alternative placed on every year. This yr, over 700 folks registered for the occasion, demonstrating how occasions like these meet an actual want of the folks of Newton County.
Job Fest is placed on by means of a partnership between the Newton County Industrial Growth Authority (NCIDA) and GPTC, with enter from the Newton County Chamber of Commerce and Walton Works (an initiative of the Growth Authority of Walton County).
Although it has been a recurring occasion since 2017, Job Fest has grown and adjusted through the years. It has taken place in quite a few areas all through the years, even going digital throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
However this yr, it returned to the GPTC campus proper right here in Covington.
“I’m extremely happy with Brian [Kitchens] and your complete undertaking staff at Georgia Piedmont Technical Faculty and Growth Authority of Walton County to as soon as once more convey the regional job fest again to Newton County,” mentioned Serra Corridor, govt director of the NCIDA. “Resulting from facility upgrades at GPTC – we are actually again to an entire day occasion for our group members and industries. We’ve an impressive alternatives in Newton and I’m assured – we are going to make nice connections for our group members.”
Roughly 25 companies had been stationed all through the convention heart, with keen attendees going from desk to desk discussing employment alternatives with the varied organizations.
There was a spread of industries current. Some represented manufacturing work, like Nisshinbo Automotive and Takeda Prescription drugs. Others sported authorities jobs, reminiscent of Newton County Public Works or the Covington Police Division. Different alternatives could possibly be categorized as schooling, staffing, navy, sources and healthcare.
Brian Kitchens, vp of financial improvement with the NCIDA, mentioned that they introduced the companies collectively to point out locals that there are worthwhile employment alternatives in their very own metropolis.
“You don’t should drive to Atlanta, you do not have to drive elsewhere,” Kitchens mentioned. “We’ve a extremely various workforce pipeline, from superior manufacturing to aviation, healthcare. You’ll be able to have a extremely good job proper right here in Covington.”
Past the representatives and dwell networking going down, posterboards with over 25 QR codes main on to job purposes had been posted for all to see. Attendees could possibly be seen sitting throughout the foyer, taking full benefit of the amassed sources.
Job Fest additionally allowed folks to mildew themselves into extra fascinating candidates. Profession companies on web site supplied a workshop, serving to educate folks on perfecting their resumes and interviewing expertise.
One other specialty service was supplied by Emonie’s Closet, a neighborhood nonprofit group that introduced in racks of enterprise apparel. The room sported an assortment of button-up shirts, blazers, gown sneakers and extra. Emonie’s Closet provided one thing for everybody—for gratis.
Individuals of all ages got here to the truthful. From Walton County excessive schoolers to middle-aged adults and every little thing in between, the room was filled with quite a lot of folks unified by the widespread objective of securing employment.
“There’s such an excellent want, and our location offers a central hub for folks to return and to get sources and to hopefully discover employment,” mentioned Nwaka Hughes, campus operations and group engagement coordinator at GPTC. “…I hope that we proceed to have the ability to be an area the place we are able to accomplice with all of those nice organizations and supply sources for the group.”
