With the unemployment rate in King County near all-time lows – around 2.8% in April – and strong job market, local companies are actively looking to hire qualified employees.
To help match workforce to employers, North Bend’s Umpqua Bank will host a Community Job Fair on Thursday, June 22nd with approximately 25 employers looking to recruit. The event will be in the bank’s parking lot and event center (Umpqua Community Room) from 2PM to 5PM.
Rob Wotton, North Bend Umpqua Bank manager and a Snoqualmie Economic Development Commission member, organized the event, with the idea stemming from Janice Evans, HR Director of Technical Glass Products of Snoqualmie Ridge.
Wotton said employers will be looking to fill a range of jobs from entry-level to semi-skilled and skilled; full-time, part-time and contract employees. He added that most of the jobs pay above $15 an hour and while some require a college degree, many do not.
The goal is to find people who are commuting out of the Valley for work. According to the US Census, almost 12,000 Snoqualmie Valley residents commute out of the area every day for work. Conversely, there are about 6,000 jobs between North Bend and Snoqualmie that nearly 4,000 people commute in to help fill.
Local mayors Mayors Matt Larson (Snoqualmie) and Ken Hearing (North Bend) are scheduled to make brief remarks and open the Job Fair at 2PM.
Work Source Seattle-King County is assisting with employer and job seeker recruitment, as well as managing a registration site for jobseekers at www.eventbrite.com/e/north-bend-community-job-fair-tickets-34833757707. There is no cost for either jobseekers or employers. (Work Source is a state agency that helps match employers and employees.)
Roleta Batiste of Work Source Seattle-King County explains that besides those currently looking for work, there are many passive job seekers that this event hopes to reach. Perhaps they’ve stayed at home raising their kids and are now are looking to get back in the job market. This event is a great way to connect with a potential employer.
Job seekers are asked to bring copies of their resume and dress ready to interview.
Local companies participating in the Job Fair include: Technical Glass Products, Encompass NW, Nintendo, Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, Spacelabs Healthcare, Zetec, Snoqualmie Valley Transit, Commercial Driving School, Terex/Genie Industries, US Postal Service, Home Depot, Bartell Drugs, Salish Lodge and The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge.
Umpqua Bank is located close to Metro Bus Routes 208 and 628. Need a ride? Call in advance to Snoqualmie Valley Transportation at 425-888-7001 or online at www.SVTBus.org.
Job Fair sponsors include the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Cities of Snoqualmie and North Bend, the Snoqualmie Tribe and Snoqualmie Valley Transportation.
