The first-ever Franklin County Job and Resource Fair, hosted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the County Board of Commissioners, was a success, with more than 100 people in attendance at the Harmony Project on Saturday, June 21.
The Job and Resource Fair brought together 26 different agencies from across Franklin County to highlight their job openings, showcase resources available to residents, and make connections with people in the community. Given the size of Franklin County, finding resources and job vacancies can be challenging – which is why the Job and Resource Fair made these things available in one convenient location.
Ian Blackstone attended the Job and Resource Fair to connect one-on-one with hiring managers, especially since he’s had issues finding jobs online in the past.
“It’s nice to have a single place where you know people are actually hiring, you know the people actually exist,” he said, “and it’s not just a bot throwing jobs on the board.”
A number of agencies, including Franklin County Public Facilities Management and Franklin County Child Support Agency, had hiring managers and human resource specialists at the fair to review candidates’ resumes on site. That includes Kesha Justice, an HR specialist with the Franklin County Auditor’s Office.
“I didn’t expect this many people,” Justice said, “but they’re coming in, they're asking questions, and we're explaining what we do at the Auditor's Office, so it’s been a good experience.”
A large part of the Job and Resource Fair was dedicated to highlight some of the services and programs available through county agencies that will help make life easier for residents of Franklin County.
“Today’s event was really, really helpful,” said Shunlonda, an assistant purchasing manager at the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority. “I love to be out here with the community, in conversation with people, gauging their interest.”
Marian Mines, a personnel officer at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, was one of the organizers of the event. She said she was excited about how well the Job and Resource Fair went.
“There’s nothing more powerful than connecting as a community,” Mines said. "It’s fulfilling to be able to serve our residents and neighbors through the sharing of employment and support resources.”
The goal to help improve the lives of those living in Franklin County.
“Being here and knowing that we are a part of the solution and not a problem for the community, as far as providing resources, job opportunities for Columbus residents,” Shunlonda said, “it means a lot.”
For those who were unable to attend the Job and Resource Fair, you can find all of the agencies who participated to check out their job openings and resources online: https://sheriff.franklincountyohio.gov/News/GET-CONNECTED-AT-THE-FRANKLIN-COUNTY-JOB-AND-RESOU