Yuma Job Fair Sets Record for Attendees

Yuma is experiencing one of the highest unemployment rates in Arizona – currently at 19 percent! In an effort to provide relief to the town's stressed economy, Goodwill of Central Arizona hosted a Job Fair on Feb. 11 which was attended by more than 350 individuals.

According to Martha Combs, Resource Center Educator, the turnout of 362 people set a new record for Job Fair attendees in Yuma. The 362 participants far surpassed the total of 150 individuals who were present at the September 2008 Job Fair. The Feb. 11 fair was held at the Pivot Point Conference Center, 200 N. Madison Ave., Yuma.

Combs said 25 employers participated in the hiring event including Hilton Hotels, Jack in the Box, Yuma County Area Transit (YCAT), KYMA (Channel 11), Yuma County, Advance Call Center Technologies, Harvest Preparatory Academy, NCO Group, Safety Services Company, Yuma Private Industry Council, MCAS Police Department and Yuma Regional Medical Center.

Goodwill also utilized the Job Fair as an opportunity to promote its Career Centers and other job training, education and career services for individuals with disadvantages such as physical, emotional, economic, illiteracy and language barriers.

Goodwill's job fairs are free and open to the public. Job fairs hosted by Goodwill are intended to match qualified candidates with employers, thus furthering our commitment to Put People to Work.

Pictured (center) is Geoffrey S. Dewhurst, Director of Operations - Yuma, who informed Job Fair attendees about the Goodwill of Central Arizona Career Centers and other job training, education and career services for individuals with disadvantages such as physical, emotional, economic, illiteracy and language barriers.