QCA Hiring Fair connected employers with future workforce

Savanna Kern buzzed around from one booth to the next inside the Davenport RiverCenter, handing off her resume to a handful of Quad Cities area companies and talking to job recruiters. Donning professional attire and putting her best foot forward, the 18-year-old United Township High School graduate has aspirations of becoming a paramedic. But she also is keeping an eye open to a variety of possibilities, including a part-time summer job. 

"I think it's important for kids to be working now," Kern said. "Events like this help kids find jobs, whether they're looking for part-time jobs or full-time. This has definitely been a big help."

Connecting high school students with jobs was the aim of the QCA Hiring Fair held June 3. More than 40 regional companies representing a variety of industries offered a range of job opportunities including full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs. The event was coordinated by the Quad Cities Chamber, IowaWorks and area school districts. Employers offered interviews on site for job seekers. 

Damarius Townsend, a junior at Mid City High School, Davenport, had his first-ever job interview at the fair. "I got pretty nervous," Townsend said afterwards. He wasn't looking for a particular job, but he wanted any job where he can start saving up money. He has an interest in working with metals. After having his first interview, Townsend walked up to a few more booths and his confidence grew each time. "I feel like I'm used to it now," he said. "I like talking to people."

Career fairs were either canceled, postponed or became virtual-only events in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. The recent QCA Hiring Fair was targeted to 10th-12th graders.

"Let's do a face-to-face event and let's get kids in front of employers," said Jen Boyd, curriculum specialist for career and technical education with the Davenport Community School District. There are plenty of jobs available for people of all ages. "We are hearing from employers that they are having a very difficult time filling positions," Boyd said. 

Despite an increase in COVID vaccinations and a downward shift in the number of positive cases, employers in the region and across the country have complained for months of having a tougher time filling positions than in years past. Mark Holloway, a workforce advisor with IowaWorks, said available jobs run "a wide gamut" from the restaurant industry to manufacturing. 

"We have jobs for young people, jobs for mid-career professionals and jobs for top executives," Holloway said. "There's a big need to find qualified employees."

Quad Cities companies are utilizing new and old ways of posting jobs, including social media and advertising in newspapers and on radio. HNI Corp. is using billboard advertising to promote its job openings.

"We are pulling every lever we can to find employees," said Dave Underwood, a recruiter with the Muscatine-based office furniture manufacturer. Underwood, who manned an employer booth at the hiring fair, said HNI is currently hiring for at least 80 openings. With training, a $15.50-an-hour entry-level job could be available for someone out of high school with no experience. "It's a great company, and we have a great training team," Underwood said. 

Ridgecrest Village, an independent and assisted senior living community in Davenport, is offering to train those interested in health care but have no prior experience. "We want someone with their heart in the right place who will go the extra mile," said Rachelle Elmore, Ridgecrest’s director of nursing. "We're very confident the right people are out there."

Hill & Valley Premium Bakery, based in Rock Island, offers tuition reimbursement for employees. "We are definitely hurting for workers," said Peny Marberry, a recruiter for Hill & Valley. "Everyone is raising wages to get people back." 

Marberry said a lack of daycare options and scheduling, especially as children have been remote learning during the pandemic, is causing challenges for some people getting back into the workforce. "We have single parents at our company, or both work," she said. "They have a hard time scheduling work with daycare, and many daycares aren't open on weekends." 

It was not too long ago when the City of Bettendorf would be flooded with applications for a few positions. But the situation has changed. "Five years ago, we'd post a job and get 70 applications," said Brooke Sweeney-Adrian, a human resources generalist with the City. "We would get overwhelmed. Now, we really have to recruit." 

Mike Oberhaus, the Quad Cities Chamber’s Vice President, Finance and Administration, considered the hiring fair a success. "We had job seekers here and we could connect them with a variety of employers," he said. "We would have loved to have many more to make sure employers have the talent they need, but it's a start."

Mary Johnson, career center advisor at Pleasant Valley High School, said the hiring fair exposed students not only to job openings but also to opportunities to improve professional skills such as writing a resume, interviewing for a job and going up and talking to people. "We know employers are desperately looking for skilled workers, and we have high school seniors who have skills," Johnson said. "This was an opportunity to showcase that."