A career fair aimed primarily at veterans who are making the switch from military to civilian life will be held Friday, March 25. However, the event is open to all active-duty service members, spouses, veterans and retirees, the Saratoga County Chamber announced.
The fair is an opportunity to network, gain advice from professionals in the civilian workforce, and connect with business owners and representatives. The event is free to both job seekers and employers, the press announcement says.
“We encourage all job seekers and those who need assistance with resume writing and interview skills to attend,” the press materials say.
The event is supported by the chamber’s Veterans Business Council
“This fits perfectly into the mission,” of the VBC and chamber, said Denise Romeo, the chamber’s executive vice president. “As a Chamber, we’ve got businesses that are members that are always looking to hire veterans, so we feel it’s a win-win.”
The career fair will be held at the Field House of the Naval Support Activity Base in Saratoga Springs. This is a new use of the Field House on the base.
“This is our first go-around at this location, but yes our plan is to continue,” Romeo said, but she was not sure just how often they would return with a career fair.
The event started small, with just a handful of companies, said Lt. Tucker Bonow, the executive officer of the base, but thanks to the help of the chamber, he said, about 40 employers have already signed up. They expect 200 to 300 veterans and active military personnel, their immediate families and retirees to participate.
"We're working hard to build the relationship with the community," both the civilian and the military community in the region, he said. He said this region does not have the same military population as other locations have, so he would like people to think of the base as giving back to the local area. A career fair keeps the talent pool close.
"We want to keep talented people in and around the area," Bonow said.
The mission of VBC is to assist the job seeking process for military service members who are making the transition from military to civilian life.
Other hosts of the event include: Albany Stratton VA Medical Center; and Recruit Military.
Participating employers include: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Applied Materials, Espey Manufacturing, Quad Graphics, Saratoga Eagle, 3 Rings PTS, BSNB, DA Collins, Integrated Staffing, Express Employment Professionals, Momentive Performance Materials, and Fort Miller Group.
Friday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Field House located at the Naval Support Activity Base in Saratoga Springs. 19 J.F. King Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866