Job fair set in Merced

The Merced Veterans Employment Committee plans a job fair aimed at veterans next week in Merced, according to a news release.

The job fair is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the American Legion Hall, 939 W. Main St. Though designed with veterans in mind, anyone looking for work can stop by.

The Veterans Employment Committee, which is based out of the state Employment Development Department office in Modesto, organized the job fair.

About 48 employers are expected to take résumés from applicants, which makes the event larger than last year’s. Ten organizations that provide resources to veterans and others will also be on hand.

Some of the companies expected at the fair are Dole Food Co., Quad Graphics, Morning Star Co., California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Atwater Federal Prison, Merced County Transportation, Foster Farms and the National Park Service.

Additionally, the Veterans Affairs office in Fresno will send a medical and administrative team so veterans can enroll in various assistance programs, according to the release.

Unemployment in Merced County is at 11.6 percent, according to the most recent numbers from EDD. Nationally, veterans are unemployed at a higher rate than the general public.

The EDD offers a number of programs to aid veterans in their job search. One program is the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which provides employers with a tax break for hiring veterans.

Information on the programs is available at the EDD office or at www.edd.ca.gov.

The Veterans Employment Committee includes EDD, Worknet of Merced County, Merced County Veterans Service Office, American Legion Post 38, UC Merced, Greater Merced County Multi-Cultural Chamber of Commerce, Merced College, Delaware North Co. and Veterans Affairs of Fresno.

There is no cost for a business or organization to join the committee. For more on the group, email henry.timothy@edd.ca.gov.

This story was originally published May 21, 2015 at 9:24 AM with the headline "Job fair set in Merced."