PirateQ 
Troy Moon, Pensacola State College
Employers need employees. We’ve all seen the headlines about a nationwide worker shortage across a variety of occupations.
On Wednesday, Sept. 22, Pensacola State College, partnering with CareerSource Escarosa, presented its annual Job Fair at the WSRE-TV Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio. The event brought 43 regional employers together with hundreds of prospective employees seeking jobs.
Occupations represented at the Job Fair included restaurant/hospitality, law enforcement, technology, military, and more.
“It’s a great way to bring employers and those seeking jobs face to face,” said Jo McArthur, PSC’s Business & Industry Outreach Coordinator.
“We’ve had a great turnout with nearly 45 employers here, and we have lots of people in the community who have heard about it, so we have a pretty good turnout.”
Jobseekers roamed the studio, which was filled with employer booths, with many employers offering plenty of free branded items ranging from lanyards to pens to stickers. Sonny’s BBQ was offering free pulled pork sliders at the company’s recruiting booth.
“Sonny’s has a lot of great starter jobs,” said Kate Sneed, Sonny’s BBQ Talent and Culture Manager. “We also have a few management positions in the Panhandle. We let students know, our staff eats for free.” (Her business cards have a coupon for a free appetizer on the back).
Florida Department of Corrections recruiters weren’t offering free food, but they were offering good starting job opportunities.
“We have great benefits, and we offer to pay for six credit hours per semester to go to College,” said Sgt. Christy Padgett, Santa Rosa Correctional Institution Recruiter. “We have so many great opportunities for careers and advancement.”