By By Lisa Tindell
news editor
With a jobless rate at nearly 13 percent in Escambia County and nearly 20 percent in Conecuh County, many residents in the region are in need of work.
But organizers at Reid State Technical College in Evergreen have a plan to help the unemployed become employed, with a job fair planned for Thursday. Several companies in the region, including T.R. Miller Mill, plan to attend.
Coretta Boykin, director of recruitment, placement and retention at Reid State, said the job fair is part of a plan to serve students and the community.
Boykin said more than 20 companies and industries have been invited to participate in the job fair. Some of those industries are currently in the hiring process, she said.
Boykin said others who have made a commitment to be on hand at the event include AIDT; Alabama Career Center; Tenax; Evergreen Medical Center; Sitel; Shaw Industries; T.R. Miller Mill Company; WSFA; Source Corp.; Monroe County Hospital; Evergreen Nursing Home; Greenville Nursing Home; Georgiana Health and Rehab LLC; Monroe Manor Nursing Home; and Montgomery City and County.
Part of the plan for the job fair is to help those who have fallen into the ranks of the unemployed find a path to take in search of a new job or career.
Boykin said a mobile unit would be available for those who need assistance with a job search.
The event will be the second of its kind at Reid State, Boykin said.
Boykin said the goal of the school is to help students earn at degree with marketable skills.
The job fair will be held at the Reid State Technical College Campus located on U.S. 83 at I-65 in Evergreen in the library/technology center and will begin at 10 a.m.
There is no charge to participate in the job fair. For additional information concerning the fair or for directions to the campus, contact Reid State at 578-1313 in Evergreen.