The Quad Cities Success Fair, held in Davenport on Thursday, August 14, focused on making connections, including connecting local job seekers with jobs. “I’m looking for a manufacturing job, specifically welding. … I like it here; there are so many options,” said David Mohr of Bettendorf, one of hundreds of job seekers who attended the opening hour (…)
Want to read more?
Get instant, unlimited access to all subscriber content and more.
Please see our Subscriber FAQs for more information.
Subscribe now
“I’m looking for a manufacturing job, specifically welding. … I like it here. There are a lot of options,” said David Mohr of Bettendorf, one of hundreds of job seekers who attended the fair’s opening. North Park Mall Thursday morning.
This year marks the Success Fair’s eighth year and the first time it has been held in North Park. Iowa WorksThe event attracted around 80 employers, schools and organisations looking to recruit talent and provide education and other services to job seekers.
“This year, this event is even more important to our community as we work to help those struggling with recent hardships.” Rick Ernst“We have a balanced mix of advanced manufacturing, business and health care jobs, as well as a diverse workforce from local companies, providing a wide range of career options,” he said in a news release as operations manager for Davenport Iowa WORKS.
The fair was aimed at veterans, military personnel and their families, but was open to anyone looking for work, so it wasn’t just Moore who was looking for a welding job; people interested in all kinds of work came to the fair.
“I came here looking for something. I’ve been looking for something for the last two months,” Mike Torres of Davenport said as he walked around several tables filled with business representatives, “I want to work with animals, maybe not so much with people.”
Diverse work is required
In another section of Thursday’s Success Fair, Kyle Meinema of Corona, Illinois, said he just finished working at a corporate job and was looking for a job that would get him out of an office environment. “I’m really looking for a job that I can do outdoors. I don’t like sitting in an office all day,” he added.
On Thursday, representatives from many companies were on hand to offer a range of work both in and outside the office.
One of those trying to attract the attention of job seekers was Hy-Vee Grocery store. Perry said she expected dozens of people to come to her table. She was looking to hire dozens of new employees, from managers to pharmacists, at the local Hy-Vee store. She also had a secret weapon to draw people: two big plates of cookies, which she hoped would draw people to her section of the job fair.
“We’re looking for someone who has a great smile, is outgoing and provides great customer service,” Perry added.
Other company representatives also wanted employees with positive attitudes. For example, Frontier Hospitality Groupwas looking for hotel workers in the area, and Frontier said it had eight jobs available immediately and more than 20 openings with $18 million in new hires. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Construction is currently underway north of Bettendorf. (The new 86-room hotel is scheduled to be completed and open next April.)
“We’re looking for people who want to work, who are excited about their job,” Hardester said.
The goods act as a lure
The search for potential workers began with various giveaways to lure them to the table: Some, like Hy-Vee, offered cookies, others bowls of oranges, candy, sunglasses, bottles of water, most offered pins, business cards, and company brochures.
Once the employer had gathered the job seekers around a table, the representative began explaining to the job seekers the key benefits of the particular job. For example, 3M, Cordova, IllinoisKelly was explaining 3M’s benefits to potential employees, which start at $28 an hour and rise to $37 after four years, and new hires get three weeks of vacation. “This is the first time we’ve ever done anything like this. We’ve just started attending these job fairs,” Kelly said. Many of 3M’s employees are nearing retirement, and the company is looking for at least 30 new employees.
Kelly and other business representatives touted employment benefits for a big reason: Many businesses in the region remain in high demand and compete for talent.
Some company officials say the war is easing up a bit for employers. “I think things are getting better. Applications are going well,” Mr. Perry said of Hy-Vee’s efforts to attract new workers.
The war for workers continues
But some people on Thursday said the struggle to attract quality employees hasn’t improved, and may even be getting worse.
“We’re looking for hard-working people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.” Serve Pro The Davenport and Bettendorf company, which does water, fire and mold damage restoration work, is looking to hire at least five new employees.
She added that SERVPRO will likely have to hire more than five people because some new hires accept jobs but don’t clock in or out after working a day.
“It’s very hard to find people to do these jobs,” she added.
Amy Pepper Economic System She said she’s in the “same boat” as many other businesses: Her employer is struggling to find workers at Economy Systems, a full-service railcar shop that cleans, lines and repairs rail cars.
“I’m looking for welders right now. It’s hard to find welders that will come to work every day,” she added.
But the QC Success Fair brought good news for Pepper: She handed out nearly all of her job applications within the first hour of the fair, which she thought might be a good sign of interest in working for the company.
“Things may be getting better,” she said.
