HOUSTON, Oct. 11, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- A number of port-related jobs may now be filled as more than 50 employers and 2,372 job seekers participated in the first Port of Houston-Wide Job Fair at the Jimmy Burke Activity Center in Deer Park from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. today. Event sponsors included the Port of Houston Authority (PHA), the West Gulf Maritime Association, San Jacinto College, the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and The WorkSource.
Photos accompanying this release are available at http://media.primezone.com/poha/pages/business.html
More than 150 elected officials, program partners and employers kicked off the job fair with a VIP opening ceremony and ribbon cutting with welcome remarks delivered by PHA Commissioner Janiece Longoria; Mayor Wayne Riddle, City of Deer Park; and Frank Thompson, Chair, Gulf Coast Workforce Board, The WorkSource. Also participating were Mayor Wayne Riddle, City of Deer Park; Mayor Jack Douglass, City of Pasadena; and Mayor Pro Tem Dee Wright, representing the Mayor/City of Seabrook; and PHA Commissioner Steve Phelps.
"The tremendous community response is a testament to the hard work of our sponsors and participating employers," says Longoria. "Their commitment to provide a means for identifying qualified candidates for open positions at public and private companies that do business with the port, and providing workers access to education and training opportunities directly impacts continued growth along the Houston Ship Channel. This is certainly a very exciting time for port-related businesses."
The job fair offered more than 1,000 open positions, ranging from administrative and clerical to engineering, longshoremen and welding, encompassing both laborer and executive jobs. Many of the jobs provide competitive salaries and full benefits, including continuing education and training.
"We were pleasantly surprised with the quality of candidates that attended this event," said Captain Steven J. Huttman, Director of Marine Operations for Galveston-based G&H Towing Company. "Our company has 28 positions to fill, requiring special merchant marine licensing. The challenge for us is finding people with the skills needed to do the work, but we met a number of people that make a good fit."
By the end of the day, many job seekers were optimistic about landing a job or at least a second interview.
"I'm looking for administrative and clerical work, and I now have three strong leads with various companies," said Wyley Conic. "My next step is to visit the employer's Web sites and enter my employment information in an effort to secure interviews."
Don Gray of Rockdale, Texas, traveled 400 miles roundtrip to meet with an employer that was hiring for environmental health and safety positions. He registered with The WorkSource in his hometown and was able to make the connection in Deer Park. "It was a long trip, but well worth it," says Gray. A veteran environmental health and safety professional with more than 30 years of experience, Gray anticipates the possibility of having a new job within the next 30 days.
Port of Houston-Wide Job Fair employers will continue to search for qualified candidates until all open positions are filled. Job seekers who were unable to pre-register with The WorkSource or register on-site during the event are encouraged to contact The WorkSource at (888) 469-JOBS (5627), or visit www.theworksource.org. The WorkSource operates 35 community-based career offices to help residents get a job, keep a job or get a better job -- offering placement, career counseling and financial aid services.
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The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
