EMPLOYER SIGN-UP FOR LAVONIA JOB FAIR UNDERWAY

The Lavonia Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring another job fair in an effort to help local employers find the workers they need.

There continues to be a shortage of qualified workers not only in Lavonia, but across the state.

Chamber Executive Director Julie Calhoun said Monday there is still time for local businesses to sign up for the fair on November 18 at the Lavonia Train Depot.  The deadline for employers to sign up is this Friday, November 12.  The job fair will take place from 10a to 2p at the depot.

According to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, workers are scarce in nearly every industry, from service and hospitality to manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and even office jobs.

They blame a shift in priorities and mindset due to the pandemic and the increased state and federal unemployment benefits during the lockdown.

Other factors according to the Georgia Chamber include many boomers decided to take early retirement, changes in Visas that no longer allowed foreign hi-tech workers into the County, and a downturn in high school students applying for part-time retail and fast food jobs due to the demands of COVID, testing, extracurricular activities to qualify for scholarships, dual enrollment and a thousand other factors make it rare to see teenagers serving you.

Calhoun said those factors are also affecting the job market in Lavonia/Franklin County.

If you are a business owner or employer who would like to participate you can contact Julie Calhoun at the Lavonia Chamber at 706-356-8202 or email [email protected].

Again, the job fair will be held Thursday, November 18 from 10a to 2p at the Lavonia Train Depot.