The 13th Annual Central Minnesota Job Fair and Career Expo is Monday at Monticello High School, and it looks to be as big as ever.

 

Last year, there were 89 vendors and 472 job seekers in attendance. By last Monday, 76 businesses had already signed up to participate in what has become one of the big hiring events n Central Minnesota.

 

“There wouldn’t be a 13th annual if the 12 before weren’t successful,” says Tim Zipoy, business service specialist with Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services (CMJTS). “We’re proud of this event and it has a reputation to be a great place to make connections, a great place to find work and a great place for companies to find workers right here in the local labor market.”

 

Over the past year, CMJTS has held smaller targeted job fair events on retail, transportation and healthcare.

 

All those sectors will be represented Tuesday along with manufacturing, education, construction, utilities, municipal services, social services, agriculture, finance, business services, advertising, hospitality, maintenance, personal services and even the U.S. Post Office.

 

Those sectors are hiring now and are not just there for future connections.

 

“It’s a job seekers market,” says Zipoy. “There’s barely enough replacement workers for each opening right now, and it’s compounded here in Sherburne and  Wright County because we’re labor exporters - and there’s a lot of growth in business and industry in our area.”

 

Zipoy says there’s an opportunity for job seekers to look at a lot of different types of careers, not just something they’re already familiar with.

 

“Most importantly, take full advantage of the gathering,” he says. “Don’t just walk the hallways and look. Stop and talk to people. Don’t be scared or intimidated.

 

That’s what a job fair is for. This is place to make those connections.”

 

And some businesses have a multitude of openings. A construction company may need construction workers, but also maybe a dispatcher. A healthcare company might need a graphic designer, public relations person or a maintenance worker.

 

One new business attending this year is Fleet Farm, which is building a store in Monticello. They already have two dozen job listings, including auto service technicians, sales associates in automotive, building materials, paint, farm and pet products, lawn and garden, clothing and housewares.

 

Zipoy says he asked specifically if businesses had openings for workers 18 and under. Many do, and some have training and apprenticeships available.

 

The Workforce Center will also have a booth at the fair, ready to help with resume writing and assist with interview questions that might come up.

 

They also have funding opportunities for training in manufacturing, retail and in the healthcare field. 

 

Monday’s event runs from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Monticello High School. Zipoy says the hours will allow commuters to get there after work and students to get there after school.

 

“Whether it’s your first job, last job or a job closer to home, this is the place to be,” he says.

 

For those who come to the fair straight from work, Bernatello’s will be serving pizza from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. as an added bonus.