Job fair draws applicants

COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Job seekers were appearing in a steady stream Tuesday morning for the 2009 Fall Job Fair at the Mid-America Center.

The event, sponsored by the Daily Nonpareil and SWIowaJobs.com, featured employers, educational institutions and services for job seekers.

Participants included Kaplan University, Panda Inc. dba Arby’s Restaurants, Social Security Administration, University of Phoenix, the Army and Navy, AFLAC, Applied Underwriters, JTL Truck Driver Training, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Iowa Workforce Development, The World-Herald, Bellevue University, Ameristar Casino and others.

“Turnout has been great so far,” said Jaimi Miller, classified advertising manager for the Daily Nonpareil. “It goes in highs and lows throughout the day, but it’s been a good steady stream.”

Mike Kolker, manning the Bellevue University booth, said a tough economy sometimes can be the best time to go back to school, “simply because you have the time to attend school, or you might need additional education to get the jobs you want.”

Shelley L. Marsh, with JTL Truck Driver Training, said there has been increased interest in the program.

“Even with the economy the way it has been, everything has to be hauled at some point,” she said.

Ed Arlauskas, district manager with Arby’s, was greeting job seekers at his booth.

“There’s been a good share of applicants that have come in,” he said. “I think we have 20 of them.”

Arlauskas said Arby’s was hiring for crew and entry-level management for 19 restaurants.

Job seeker Bradley Keith of Council Bluffs said he had found a job possibility at the Tyson booth.

“They’re opening up a wastewater plant, and that’s what I’m interested in,” he said. “I talked with them and got some good input. It was worth coming out.”

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