Job fair set in downtown Merced
A growing number of companies looking to hire veterans is expected at a job fair being held in Merced this week, according to an organizer.
Recruiters from about 50 businesses will be on hand at the state Employment Development Department’s Veteran Job and Resource Fair slated for Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 939 W. Main St.
The fair is focused on veterans, but it is open to anyone looking for work. Organizers recommend that job-seekers bring résumés and dress appropriately for a job interview.
The number of recruiters is up slightly from last year, said Henry Timothy, a veterans representative with the EDD. Organizers also expect to see an increase in job-seekers. Last year’s fair drew at least 650 people seeking work, which more than doubled the previous year’s turnout.
Companies scheduled to be at the fair include Foster Farms, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Joseph Farms, the city of Merced, Dole Foods, Quad Graphics, Home Depot, Best Buy, National Park Service.
Additionally, the Veterans Affairs office in Fresno will send a medical and administrative team to help veterans enroll in assistance programs, according to Timothy.
Unemployment in Merced County is at 11.9 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 jobs 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, which organizes the fair each year, includes EDD, Worknet of Merced County, Merced County Veterans Service Office and a number of other local and regional agencies.
There is no cost for a business or organization to join the committee. For more information about the group, email henry.timothy@edd.ca.gov.
This story was originally published February 22, 2016 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Job fair set in downtown Merced."