Unique Job Fair Held In South Jordan Brings Hope
Nov 7, 2020, 9:00 PM | Updated: Jul 12, 2023, 5:50 pm
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — With so much going on in the country, it might be easy to forget lots of people are still hurting and out of work. That’s why the South Jordan Chamber of Commerce decided to hold a drive-thru job fair, to help those who are looking for work and those who are hiring.
Vickie Jenkins was told last month her job was being eliminated at a company she has worked at for more than three years.
“It’s hard, you know. But I think the big thing you have to remember is to keep a positive attitude,” said Jenkins.
There are many people just like her looking for work.
That’s why the South Jordan Chamber of Commerce held a job fair on Saturday.
With so much going on today, it might be easy to forget lots of people are out of work worried about their own immediate future. That's why the South Jordan Chamber of Commerce held a job fair, but it was different from most job fairs. We're doing a story for @KSL5TV at 9. #ksltv pic.twitter.com/Xmz95CkSRW
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) November 8, 2020
Organizers hoped it would help people so they wouldn’t feel so scared.
“I think it’s great that they are doing this,” said Jenkins. “It’s a good idea.”
However, the job fair looked different than most job fairs.
Instead of going into a room where employers are behind booths, those looking for work drove into a parking lot next to park, and businesses gave them a bag full of packets from companies looking for workers.
“I think this is a great way to help everybody out,” said Brian Synan, president and CEO of the South Jordan Chamber of Commerce. “I got this idea from a chamber of commerce out in Nebraska.”
Because of coronavirus and trying to keep people socially distanced, organizers decided to make the job fair a drive-thru job fair. They said it’s faster for those looking for jobs and puts the emphasis more on the chamber of commerce to be there instead of the individual businesses.
“I think this is a better option because some businesses can’t get to a job fair and be in person because they don’t have the staff,” said Synan.
Synan said a lot of businesses in South Jordan are looking for workers because the coronavirus pandemic has hit them hard, too.
“Our businesses need help,” he said. “Our businesses are working hard to stay open. The majority of our businesses are hiring in some shape or form.”
So, not only was the job fair good for those looking, but it was also good for those hiring. And good for both to be as safe as possible.
Jenkins said she felt better after getting her packet. She feels, no matter what, staying positive is important because her next job is closer today than it was yesterday.
“What good is it to be negative?” said Jenkins with a smile. “I mean, there’s so much going on right now like that, what’s the point?”
