A sure sign that the economy is improving is an increase in the number of jobs available.

 

And that’s exactly what the latest statistics are showing.

 

“Hands down, here are  more jobs this year than last year,” says Tim Zipoy, business resource representative at Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services,   “It’s a job-seekers market right now. Business and industry are challenged to find good people.”

 

Zipoy is one of the organizers of the 11th Annual Central Minnesota Area Job Fair, which will take place next Tuesday (March 31) at Monticello High School.

 

Last year there were signs the economy was on an upswing when 36 businesses attended the job fair. That was an improvement over the previous year, but nowhere near the numbers from the earliest events when about 80 to 90 companies attended.

 

But as of March 16, the numbers were already near 50, and Zipoy is predicting 60 or more by next Tuesday.

 

“It’s certainly going to be a better turnout. We’re ahead of the pace from last year,” he says. “We’re happy. We have good numbers and good representation from a wide variety of business sectors, including retail, manufacturing, healthcare, social services, professional services, transportation and logistics, skilled trades, agriculture, distribution, business services and more.”

 

Not only are there more businesses this year, but the hours of the job fair have been extended from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. Now job seekers have more time to get face-to-face contact with potential employers. And those who already have a job can still attend the fair if they’re looking for something better or closer to home.

 

“This is the first time in our 11-year history that we brought it to 7 p.m for the purpose of reaching out to those commuters,” says Zipoy. “Sherburne and Wright County are labor exporters, so we know business and industry need to find, train and keep good workers. We’re keenly focused on getting those people to the job fair.”

 

This year, Bernatellos Pizza will be giving away slices of pizza from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., specifically to attract those road-weary commuters who haven’t had a chance to get home and have dinner.

 

Zipoy says there are more kinds of training opportunities for people who might want to move from one job to another career.

 

“There’s a new focus on apprenticeships and on-the-job training like never before,” he says. “It’s exciting times.”

 

He says he’s surprised at the number of St. Cloud area businesses that have signed up this year. That’s good news for people who are struggling in traffic to work in the Twin Cities every day.

 

“There are great jobs in our area - companies that have every bit as much benefits, wages and ability to compete in the world marketplace with any Metro company,” says Zipoy. “More and more you hear why companies are in this area - because of our work ethic, knowledge, skills and abilities.”

 

Like always, the Workforce Center will have its own booth to help jobseekers with resumes and answer questions about jobs and training.

 

“We encourage people to dress for success and have resumes in hand,” says Zipoy. “And it’s important to talk with more than one business. Get some networking going on. It’s a successful tool for businesses and it’s a great way for people to get jobs.”