It's often said that good help is hard to find, but the Mackinac County Job Fair Saturday, April 29, should make the process of finding workers a little easier. The fair will be at Little Bear East Arena in St. Ignace from noon to 3 p.m.

Job seekers can expect a more convenient way to sign up for work, and the ability to apply and interview for several jobs at once. Both seasonal and full-time employment will be available.

Employers will take job applications, conduct interviews, and may hire employees on the spot during the job fair. Some employers surveyed after last year's first Job Fair reported that they offered jobs to people at the fair, said Janet Peterson of the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce.

"Some of the comments from last year were that it turned out great. Another said they liked the fact it was on a weekend, and we got comments like 'great place, great timing,'" Mrs. Peterson said.

This year, organizers worked with the Les Cheneaux Chamber of Commerce to send invitations to the fair to all chamber members. Organizers saw several people from Clark Township attend last year's fair looking for work and to learn about the businesses that are hiring.

The Job Fair is free to both employers and job seekers. Employers can sign up by calling Mrs. Peterson at (906) 643-8717. They will be assigned a table at the fair, and tables will be arranged around the perimeter of the convention room. Tables in the center of the room will be available for job seekers who want to fill out applications at the fair. Hotels and motels, restaurants, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians' casino operations, and retail stores are expected to be there.

Jay Caldwell, the Mackinac County Michigan Works! counselor said he has been contacted by a potential employer who wants fill airport positions. Last year, Mrs. Peterson said, a light industrial business from Harbor Springs came to the fair and hired an applicant from there.

"I think if employers are coming back this year, it's because they were at this last year," said Elizabeth Brown, on the success of the event.

She represents four businesses, including three shops in the Pavillion mall and Colonial Inn, all in St. Ignace. She was at last year's Job Fair and hired three employees from the applications she received there. She plans to hire at least three employees through contacts she makes at this year's fair. As a St. Ignace Chamber and St. Ignace Business Association member, she endorsed the event's convenience to both business owners and job seekers.

"I just think it's a great opportunity to find a job. There were a ton of people there last year," she said. "And it's free. What's really nice about it is you're not inundated with people coming to your front door (applying for jobs), and you have the opportunity to meet face-to-face."

Mrs. Peterson said some of the businesses who participated last year were able to fill their openings with applicants at the Job Fair. One business planned to hire only three employees, and ended up with 26 applications to choose from. Another distributed 25 applications and planned to hire 17 from the pool of applicants.

Michigan Works! estimates approximately 250 people attended last year's fair, and about 200 applied for jobs there. Mrs. Peterson said people were lining up at the door before the event started, so the fair will be one hour longer this year, starting at noon.

Last year, Mrs. Peterson estimated, 14 businesses participated in the Job Fair, and organizers hope to draw more potential employers this year. Mrs. Peterson emphasized that the event only requires a three-hour commitment of time.

Mr. Caldwell touted the event as a convenient place for job seekers to see what's available and apply for work, particularly people who don't have transportation and might find it difficult otherwise to get around and apply at different businesses. He estimates that some 35 workers will be unemployed when the TechOptics plant of St. Ignace moves to Sault Ste. Marie this summer, because they won't have transportation to the new plant or can't afford to drive there. The Job Fair may provide a starting place for finding a new job.

"It gives people an opportunity to go to one place and talk to several businesses at once," he added.

The event is compatible with Mr. Caldwell's job of helping people find work and learn employment skills.

"Our goal is to get people into full-time, year-round employment," he said. "Michigan Works! has a great interest in seeing people work."

Mr. Caldwell spearheaded the planning of last year's Job Fair, with the help of Mrs. Peterson and Michelle Walk of Mackinac County's Michigan State University Extension. They are all working on this year's fair, along with St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce, Business Association, and Downtown Development Authority, Les Cheneaux Chamber of Commerce, St. Ignace Area Schools, Mackinac County Economic Development Corporation, and Consolidated Community Schools Services.

Similar job fairs are held in Chippewa and Luce counties, and have been successful there, Mr. Caldwell said. Organizers are hoping for similar success here, as the event grows.

Job seekers can bring resumes, though they are not required, and work permits if they are teens younger than 16 years of age. Permission must be granted by the teen's parents and school before a teen can legally work.

Little Bear East Arena is at 275 Marquette Street in St. Ignace. Additional information can be obtained by calling the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce at (906) 643-8717 or Michigan WORKS! at (906) 643-8158.