Tuesday’s job fair at the Blair County Convention Center, where 20 employers pitched work opportunities, attracted about 65 job seekers — half as many as would likely have come before COVID-19, according to Randall Blancard, manager of Reliant Hiring Solutions, which organized the event.
The attendance seems to support the common observation that generous pandemic unemployment benefits have undermined a willingness to work, but other factors are in play, according to Brian Walters, benefits specialist for Blair County government, which is trying to fill 65 open slots — twice its pre-COVID normal.
Lots of people lost jobs during COVID-19 or had to quit to take care of their kids, and lots of those were out of the workforce for the first time in many years, which can make a return “intimidating,” Walters said.
But that shouldn’t be the case because employment interviews should be mutual efforts, with each party evaluating the other to determine whether a hiring would be beneficial, Walters said.
Further, job seekers often don’t realize much of what they can offer, so sometimes employers need to tease out applicants’ “transferable” skills, said Blair County Administrator Nicole Hemminger.
One of the job seekers Tuesday was a pastor who’d potentially be an excellent candidate for a caseworker post at Children, Youth & Families, Domestic Relations or the prison, Hemminger said.
“He was like, ‘Really?’” when she pointed out those transferable skills, she said.
It can be “disorienting” when re-entering the job market after a long stint in one job, Walters said. But realizing the value of what you can offer ought to instill confidence.
His own case is an example, Walters said.
He started with the county recently after 18 months of searching — having previously been employed as manager of family and medical leave act cases for a company.
The county may not pay wages as high as many private firms, but the benefits tend to be superior, he said.
One of the visitors to the county recruiters was Wendy Pfahler of Altoona, who has been out of work since April hen her medical records superintendent job was transferred to Pittsburgh.
She’s been taking a break, thanks to the severance her company provided, but now it’s time to get another job, she said.
She doesn’t want to take just anything. She wants to do something “that means something to me,” she said.
Pay is less of an issue because she plans to “downsize.” She and her parents live in separate full-sized homes. Both intend to sell, then buy a ranch house together with a mother-in-law” apartment for her.
She’s “definitely” interested in what the county has to offer, particularly jobs involving kids, such as with CYF, she said.
“I’m open for whatever I need to change,” she said. “I’m not against learning.”
Seeking inspiration
Mark Kindy of Altoona came to the job fair looking for “inspiration.”
He works in merchandising for a national retailer, having come to this area “for love” a year and a half ago from Virginia.
He has a master’s degree in historic preservation and would like to work for the National Park Service. Unfortunately, the service has been giving priority to internal hires, according to Kindy.
Maybe he could snag an entry level job long enough to qualify for something more advanced, he said.
Boosting retirement
Woody VanOrmer came Tuesday to look for a second, part-time job, so he can bolster his retirement savings.
Van Ormer, 53, works as a patient care technician at UPMC Altoona, bathing and feeding patients and changing their bed clothes.
He could earn more by accepting overtime, but he’d rather his extra labors be a little different.
He’s thinking of construction work, maybe
20 hours a week.
He wants to build his retirement account, so he can travel when the time comes.
Seeking workers
Pyramid Healthcare is looking to fill a variety of positions, from housekeepers to nurses, said Jesse Hertzler.
The company is having some trouble getting enough workers for positions with stricter education requirements, he said.
Employers are having to compete with one another for workers, he said.
Senior LIFE PA is likewise looking to fill positions “all across the board,” said Recruitment Manager Katie Hastie.
Fairs like Tuesday’s drew more job seekers before COVID-19, Hastie said.
She doesn’t necessarily know why, and is unwilling to attribute it to unwillingness to work.
“A lot of us are trying to figure (it) out,” she said.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.
