ROCKINGHAM — Service members exiting the military will have an opportunity later this month to meet with regional employers and possibly secure a job.
The Richmond County Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Richmond Community College, Richmond County Economic Development, North Carolina For Military Employment, NC Commerce and NC Works to organize and host a Sandhills Veteran Hiring Event “in hopes to assist with the workforce needs here in Richmond County,” according to an email from Chamber President Emily Tucker.
She said a number of companies have mentioned “a shortage of skilled labor in the area.”
Tucker said she and several others attended a similar event last summer in Wilmington on a “fact-finding mission” after the topic was brought up at a meeting.
While the event is mainly for the transitioning veterans, Tucker said their spouses are also invited as they too may have the skills that local businesses are looking for.
According to a flyer, the requested skill areas include engineering, medical, transportation, law enforcement, heavy equipment operators, information technology, human resources, electricians and maintenance technicians.
The event will kick off with a social 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Southern Pines Brewing Company — “an opportunity to mingle with the candidates in a casual setting.”
Tucker said they’re planning to have 40 or more employers from Richmond and Moore counties on hand from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the following day at Cole Auditorium.
She stressed that this is not a job fair but a hiring event, and participants will have to sign up and submit a professional resume. They will be pre-selected for interviews as the companies will be looking for qualified workers and will be prepared to hire on the spot.
Participants can register for both events at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sandhills-veteran-hiring-event-registration-82380300697
Businesses that want to participate should be registered in NCWorks.gov. and have job openings posted in NCWorks. For assistance with registration or job orders, employers should contact the Richmond County NCWorks Career Center at 910-997-9180 or the Moore County NCWorks Career Center at 910-944-7697 and advise the representative that you are a participant in the Veterans Hiring Event.
