Hundreds attend 2007 job fair
'A lot of people are looking for jobs'
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

David French of Bath discusses area job prospects with representatives of Corning Community College during last week's job fair at the Bath Knights of Columbus.

BATH - Karen Clarkson has represented Corning Community College's Workforce Development and Community Education Program at three job fairs in western New York during the past month.

Heavy turnouts, including hundreds of people attending Wednesday's job fair at the Bath Knights of Columbus, have provided her with a clear snapshot of the region's economy.

"It's a sure sign people are looking for jobs," Clarkson said.

People inquiring into CCC's database of training programs run the gamut from young to old, she added. Some have their high school diplomas; others have college degrees but want to retool their skills for the changing workplace.

More than 200 visited the job fair in its first half hour, according to Brianna Fowler, a representative of t h e Job Service Employment Committee of the New York Department of labor.

"A lot of people are looking for jobs," Fowler said, noting a total of 400 people Action Employment and Training of Bath and CSS Workforce New York, based in Corning.

The fair drew more than 35 companies, including Bombardier, Cameron Manufacturing and Stafkings. The latter, based in Binghamton, provides certified or licensed employees for hospitals and other health-related organizations. Stafkings also coordinates temporary staffing for businesses.

"It's a great turnout here," Dinkins said. "People need jobs."

People like David French, a 28-year-old resident of Bath and graduate of Campbell- Savona High School. French told The Courier he has been receiving public assistance since October 2006 and is looking for a job either in a factory or the retail sector.

"This is good," he said of the job fair. "I've gotten a lot of questions answered, and I'm finding out which places are hiring."