USCL job fair to host 30 firms

Lancaster residents will have a chance to meet with prospective employers at a job fair at the University of South Carolina at Lancaster. The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the Bradley Arts and Sciences Building at USCL. It is sponsored by Catawba Regional Workforce Investment Board, Catawba Regional Council of Governments, USCL, S.C. Employment Security Commission, S.C. Department of Social Services, the (Chester) News & Reporter and The Lancaster News. There will be at least 30 companies represented at the fair, including the city of Lancaster, Proctor and Gamble (Duracell), Wal-Mart, Nightengale Nursing, Inspiration Networks, Thomas and Betts, Phillips Staffing and Wendy’s, said Lynda Burke, director of the local S.C. Employment Security Commission office. Those attending will learn about training options and attend workshops on resume preparation and interview skills. Lancaster County’s employment rate has dropped from 12.2 percent, as reported in a forbes.com article calling Lancaster the “most vulnerable town” in the nation last month, to 11.6 percent for September, the latest figure available. The local employment security office was able to find jobs for 150 people last month, and another 200 people in September. But sponsors are still expecting a capacity crowd for the fair. The last local job fair drew about 700 people. Burke suggests that those attending dress as though they were going to a job interview. “Dress for success, and bring your resume,” she said. Resume class The employment office, at 705 N. White St., offers a free resume class at 2 p.m. each Thursday, for those who don’t have one or need to bring theirs up-to-date, Burke said. For details about the job fair, call the local S.C. Employment Security Commission at 285-6966.