By Hannah LaFond | [email protected]

The Millcreek Business Council hosted its second job fair of the year at Millcreek City Hall on Oct. 3. Their primary goal was to connect Millcreek businesses with employable locals. 

As Suzanne Sands, the chair of the Millcreek Workforce Committee, said, “Finding a job close to home can ease transportation and childcare expenses by eliminating a long commute.”

Having employees who work close to their business also benefits the employer. That is probably why Sands said she was approached by job seekers and employers alike throughout the fair, who thanked her for helping them make those valuable connections. 

She said hopeful job seekers  told her that “the opportunity to find a job close to their home is something they haven’t seen in other communities.”

Sands was especially excited to help because she has experience with how important it can be, especially for families, to work locally. 

“I was able to connect my sister with a job close to her house. Since she has a little boy who is in school, commuting and childcare are big concerns for her,” Sands said. “Now she works close to home and to where her son attends school.”

Before the October fair, there was also one hosted in the summer. Nichole Chidester, assistant to the economic development director, spoke to the Millcreek Journal about the summer fair as they prepared for October’s event. 

“Last job fair, one of our participating businesses hired three people because of the job fair! We have many businesses who participated in the summer who have signed up to participate again," Chidester said. "With those two examples in mind, I would say this job fair is highly successful." 

Of course, even with that optimism in mind, Chidester was surprised on the morning of Oct. 3 to find many job seekers arrived at City Hall before the doors opened. Some also stayed after the event ended at 2 p.m. 

The great turnout may have been due in part to the organizers reaching out to local high schools to invite students to the event, as many might be interested in summer or part-time jobs. 

About the attendees of the summer job fair, Chidester said, “The job seekers were highly diverse in education, age and skill. We invite all to participate.” 

And just like in the summer it was important for this fall fair to welcome and benefit anyone interested. 

Some of the businesses participating this year were Life Care Center of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City Corporation, Western Governor's University, Willow Wood Care Center, Right at Home of Salt Lake and Roots Café, along with several others. And as Chidester did, many of these employers also participated in the summer event. She pointed to this fact as a good sign the employers are finding value from the job fair along with the job seekers. 

After hosting two successful job fairs, the Millcreek Business Council is hoping to continue the tradition with two job fairs each year going forward to connect more residents to local jobs.