Job-hunters and employers meet at fair

Photo by Tom Rivers – Chris Walton, a recruiting assistant for Adecco in Batavia, talks with Tristian Curtiss, an Albion resident who is looking for a job. About 40 companies and agencies are at a job fair today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Legion in Albion.

ALBION – Orleans County may have a high unemployment rate, 11.2 percent in February, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t jobs available in the county.

About 40 companies and agencies are at a job fair in Albion today. Almost every one is hiring.

Worthington Corporation, which bought Bernz-O-Matic in Medina two years ago, is looking to fill 10 permanent jobs and 10 more seasonal positions in June. The jobs involve small assembly work for a company that makes propane torches.

“We’re looking for someone who comes to work everyday,” said Susan Koleszar, human resources manager for the company with 171 workers in Medina. “You need to be at work on time and be available for some overtime.”

Adecco in Batavia is working with several businesses to fill positions. The hiring agency just filled 15 jobs for Darien Lake – landscaping positions to get the theme park ready for a new season.

Adecco works with Perry’s Ice Cream in Akron, Freeze Dry in Albion and other local manufacturers.

“There are jobs out there,” said Sarah Levanduski-Surdel, a recruiter for Adecco.

She said people need to apply for jobs, and then follow-up with phone calls.

“You have to do your due diligence,” she said at the job fair at the American Legion on South Main Street.

Tristian Curtiss, 18, of Albion applied for 10 jobs recently but hasn’t heard back. She said she would reach out to those places with phone calls. She is willing to work two to three part-time jobs. Adecco representatives urged her to keep trying.

Carol Miller, director of the Job Development Agency in Orleans County, said job-hunters may need to lower their expectations if they are unemployed.

“If you’re willing to work there are jobs out there,” she said. “It may not be the job you want, but it’s a job. Once you’re employed, you’re employable. People would rather hire someone who has a job.”

Right now there is a push for seasonal positions, and some companies are filling other permanent slots. Miller said there are job opportunities throughout the year.

“All employers are always looking for good employees,” she said.

Vince Iorio, the senior employment specialist with Career Ventures, expects at least 300 people for the job fair, which is now in its eighth year and runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. He works with The Arc of Orleans County, trying to connect people with disabilities to employers.

The job fair is open to the entire community.

“It’s a win-win for everybody,” he said. “The employers and job seekers get to connect. The job seekers connect with a human being, rather than filling out an application over the Internet.”