COVINGTON, Ga. — Hundreds of people were lined up to meet prospective employers at a regional job fair Thursday morning.
U.S. Rep. Jody Hice and local economic development offices are playing host to the event at the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Main Campus until 4 p.m. Thursday.
“It is an awesome event,” Hice, R-Ga., said. “If you are looking for a fresh start, or you’re just beginning a career, this is the place for you to be.”
Nikki Smith, senior human resources manager of Shire in Social Circle, said she was “excited to talk to a number of candidates who would be interested in working in the biotech sector, of which we are going to be quickly ramping up our hiring processes in the next year or two.”
Smith said she’s looking for specific kinds of potential employees.
“I think the key people that we’re looking for that are successful in our business and our company are folks who are passionate about being able to provide product to patients who really need our services,” she said, “as well as folks who are able to understand and follow procedures related to a highly regulated type of industry.”
Rahim Charania, president of Three Ring Studios, said he also wants to hire “some great people from Newton County, Rockdale County, (and) put them to work.” His first goal is hiring for security, customer service, sales, facility management and electrical positions.
“These are white-collar jobs. These are high-paying jobs, in excess of $30 an hour” Carania said. “These are the kinds of jobs we want to bring to our community.”
The economic development offices of Newton, Jasper, Morgan and Walton counties have been involved in staging the event.
Employers involved in the event include Anthony International, Beaver Manufacturing Co., Bulldog Steel Fabrication, the city of Covington Human Resources Department, Clarion Metals Corp., Contract Packaging, the Covington Fire and Police departments, Covington-Newton County 911, Cutting Edge Laser Manufacturing Inc., Cycle World of Conyers, the C.R. Bard Global Distribution Center, Dart Container Corp., Electrical Contractor Inc., Elite Auto Collision, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Express Employment Professionals, Gent’s Grooming Lounge, the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, the Georgia Film and TV Production Initiative, the Heavy Equipment College of Georgia, Herc Rentals, Hire Dynamics, Independent Electrical Contractors, Infinity Network Solutions, JR Hobb Co. Atlanta, Leggett & Platt, MAU Workforce Solutions, Michelin Tread, the Newton County Board of Commissioners Human Resources, Newton County Fire Service, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Primerica, Shire, SRG Global, Steelco Buildings Inc., Three Ring Studios, US Corrugated, Verescence, Wagner and WestRock.
