COVINGTON, Ga. — Job seekers who attend the Regional Job Fair hosted by Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) are given all the tools they need to get hired.

With more than 30 employers expected to attend this year’s fair set for Tuesday, April 12, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., people looking for a job will be able to take advantage of free “interview-ready” blazers in the clothing closet, job application and resume writing assistance, and GPTC education and training opportunities.

“A highlight of our regional job fair is the clothing closet,” said Dessa Morris, who is the workforce development director for Walton County Industrial Development Authority. “It is full of blazers in all sizes. We meet job seekers before they enter the actual job fair and fit them with a blazer; while trying on various sizes and colors, volunteers give them a pep talk. We help participants to upgrade their outfit and their confidence. Participants leave the clothing closet ready to meet the companies and secure a great local career.” 

Morris said she works with Goodwill, who provides the blazers, as well as FISH (Faith In Serving Humanity) in Walton County and other individuals who donate the blazers.

“My favorite part of the event is when people we fitted earlier in the day, stop by on their way out and share their smiles and how many companies are interested in hiring them,” she said. “It’s rewarding to make a connection and be a small part of their success at the job fair.”

Irvin Clark, vice president of economic development for GPTC, recently told the Covington City Council that workshops would be available for the public to attend, which would help job seekers learn about the “soft skills” they may need to successfully interview, such as communication, teamwork and work ethic, as well as building an attractive resume.

Workshops also will help those who may not be ready for employment learn what they need to do to prepare, he said.

A new amenity for job seekers planning to attend the hiring event is giving away gas cards, made possible through the partnership of Georgia Power, Verizon and Snapping Shoals EMC.

“With gasoline at an all-time high, we were concerned that the cost to drive to the event may keep those who could benefit the most from attending,” said Asher Dozier, who is vice president of economic development for Newton County Industrial Development Authority. “Our amazing sponsors at Verizon Wireless, Georgia Power and Snapping Shoals EMC came through and provided funding to offer gas cards to attendees so we could help overcome that financial hurdle. The regional job fair, and I think this is what sets this one apart from other job fairs, has always — from resume assistance, to offering training with GPTC, to blazers from Goodwill — looked to help job seekers overcome barriers to good careers. The gas cards are just another tool our sponsors have provided this year to help meet this goal.”

The regional job fair will be held at the GPTC Newton D Conference Center, located off City Pond Road at 8100 Bob Williams Parkway in Covington. Event organizers expected more than 30 local and regional employers, this year in the fields of manufacturing, logistics, construction industries and more.

Learn more about the event by emailing gometrocorporatecollege@gptc.edu or visit https://bit.ly/3ioTscX.