Superior event brings job seekers and employers together
Headshots taken at the Superior Career & Hiring Expo via Career Connectors
An eager crowd of job seekers, students and companies converged recently for the Superior Career & Hiring Expo, organized by Local First Arizona and Career Connectors.
More than 550 jobs were on offer, and between job seekers who attended and those who registered and continued to receive information and job-matching services even if they weren't at the event, nearly 50 people received interviews and dozens more were scheduled for follow-ups.
The event went beyond shaking hands and exchanging business cards.
Attendees also received free headshot photos and resume consultations, both of which are increasingly important to standing out in today’s job search.
A special workshop was also set aside for Superior high schoolers.
They spoke with Career Connectors CEO and Founder Jessica Pierce about potential career pathways, how to network effectively and next steps to take as they prepare to graduate.
“The interest was high from job seekers, the student engagement was great and the employer feedback was phenomenal,” Local First Senior Rural Programs Manager Kate Stuart said. “According to employers, the quality of candidates was excellent.”
Building a stronger local economy in the Copper Corridor
More than 85% of attendees rated their experience at the expo as high or very high.
The expo was a direct result of conversations Local First Arizona conducted with Pinal County employers about hiring.
They identified two challenges:
Employers in central Pinal County were less aware of the talent market in the northeastern part of the county and how to tap it
And companies wanted stronger connections to local young people to recruit for open positions.
In turn, this event showed that "local high school students didn’t know the pathways into these employers' industries,” Stuart said.
Local job and educational opportunities abound
The Superior Unified School District and the economic-development nonprofit Rebuild Superior supported the event, which was held at the Superior Enterprise Center.
The event attracted major employers like State Farm Insurance, Capstone Copper Pinto Valley Mine, Resolution Copper, Rosendin Electric, Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation & Reentry and the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as other construction, healthcare, and electric companies. Both full and part-time positions, as well as remote jobs, apprenticeships and internships were available.
In addition, job seekers were able to sign up for skills training and certifications in IT, nursing, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, cosmetology, early childhood education and firefighting from Cobre Valley Institute of Technology, Per Scholas, National Technical Institute, and DPR Construction.
The event “fostered a sense of community,” according to Career Connectors, and “served as a stepping stone for individuals seeking to build a successful career path, ultimately benefiting the entire community of Superior.”
