Last month, the second annual Clatsop County High Schools Career and Job Fair was held at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds.

The focus of the career and job fair was threefold: 1) Employers from throughout Clatsop County hiring for positions for immediate employment, and summer jobs. 2) Sharing vocational and career technical careers available that provide family wage jobs, including a pathway through Clatsop Community College and 3) Sharing with our students going away to four year colleges and universities that they can come home after graduation and find a fulfilling career in Clatsop County.

More than 700 students from Astoria, Jewell, Knappa, Seaside & Warrenton High Schools attended.

Sixty-eight businesses participated, more than last year. Many companies hired students on the spot!

Business evaluations were very positive, and said the kids were very wellorganized this year. The student responses continually stated they were unaware of all the job and career options we have in Clatsop County, and were excited of the potential

Clatsop Economic Development Resources (CEDR) partnered with the Oregon Employment Department (WorkSource Northwest Oregon and Pacific NW Works) to organize and facilitate this event, but we could have not done it without the over 20 community volunteers who came to twice monthly planning meetings for months, and of course the schools who invested their time with us to make this experience for our kids so memorable

Everyone worked collaboratively to ensure success of this countywide event for our students, and inspired all involved!

Take a look at www.clatsopjobfair.com for more information. This is the new “go to” website, created by Jim Servino from the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce.

We are already starting planning for next year, but I could not let the file close on this year without acknowledging our volunteers.

Kevin Leahy

executive director, Clatsop Economic Development Resources (CEDR) and Clatsop Community College Small Business Development Center