By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Job fair to provide opportunities for veterans
Placeholder Image

Local residents looking for employment opportunities will have the chance to get hired come Dec. 20, as Balance Staffing is hosting a job fair hiring for positions in Turlock and Modesto.

“We will be hiring on the spot for positions in light industrial settings, from warehouses and recycling facilities to factories in the food industry,” said Balance Staffing recruiter Perry Dean. “I have a passion for this, helping people get hired when they think they can’t be.”

Local companies will be hiring at the job fair for a variety of positions, including shipping and receiving jobs, forklift machine operators, sanitation, mechanics, maintenance and more. The positions range from temporary to full time, said Dean.

Applications, interviews and drug testing will all be completed on site at the job fair, and while applicants are not required to bring a resume along, those interested in positions that require a specific skill set should consider having one on hand.

“We are in desperate need of high reach operators, and some experience may be necessary for those interested in forklift operation or mechanics,” said Dean.

The effort to bring a job fair to Turlock came as a collaboration between Dean and Veterans of Foreign Wars member Wardee “Gunner” Bruce, who are both members of the Stanislaus Veterans Employment Council. This job fair is the third event of its kind, and the pair thought that the fair would be a good way to bring job opportunities to unemployed veterans in the area, as well as the community at large.

“We wanted to hold these job fairs for the public so that everyone who needs a job can find one, but wanted to offer those opportunities to veterans as well. Veterans do have higher priority when it comes to hiring, but everyone is encouraged to come,” said Bruce.

In a report released in March by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment situation of veterans in the country was shown to have improved to 4.3 percent of veterans unemployed, down .3 percent from last year. Older veterans have the hardest time finding work, with 60 percent of the 453,000 unemployed veterans in 2016 aged 45 and over.

Dean, one of three veterans at Balance Staffing, understands the difficulty some soldiers come across when trying to find work after returning home from war. Many suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and turn to drugs, leaving them without work, while some, as Bruce pointed out, find it hard to return to “real life” after returning from overseas.

“I will go that extra step for a veteran because I understand their struggle,” said Dean.

“It feels awesome to help, and we try to make everyone feel welcome whether they think they’re capable of getting a job or not,” said Bruce. “Sometimes all you need is a little encouragement.”

Although veterans will have top priority when it comes to hiring at the fair, all job-seeking residents are welcome at the event. Those attending the job fair are encouraged to dress to impress, and potential hires should be prepared to work in a fast-paced environment and have reliable transportation to and from work.

Balance Staffing’s job fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the American Legion Hall, 75 Bothun Road in Turlock. Those who cannot attend the fair but would like more information regarding potential job opportunities can contact Dean directly at 209-346-3172.