Mike Schlanz, workforce director with Ohio Means Jobs of Belmont County tells Commissioner Jerry Echemann and others about this Wednesday’s job fair at the Ohio Valley Mall.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Ohio Valley Job Fair will kick off Wednesday with the goal of connecting employers and job seekers.

Mike Schlanz, workforce director with Ohio Means Jobs of Belmont County, updated the Belmont County Board of Commissioners on preparations. He said the Ohio Valley Mall will again host the job fair.

He said hours are 2-6 p.m., since this may attract potential job seekers with varied schedules.

“In past years, we’ve had our job fair from noon to 4 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., but this year we decided to change to 2-6 p.m. to catch a population of maybe people who are getting out of work at 4-5 p.m. and stop by,” Schlanz said. “We’re looking forward to a good turnout. Hopefully we’ll get a lot of job seekers there.

“We’re getting the word out. Right now, we have 82 employers registered, seven agencies, and six training providers,” Schlanz said. “We’re putting yard signs throughout the county about the job fair.

He said the number of registered employers is close to that of recent years.

“In past years, we’ve had over 100 businesses total, so right now we’re up in the 90s, which is a great thing,” he said. “There’s all types of industry out there, manufacturing, warehouse, banking, food service, hospitality, the list goes on and on.”

Schlanz said the agency has been putting on job fairs for about 15 years, canceling only during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted the venue has been a successful one.

“It’s a great partnership out there with the Ohio Valley Mall. It brings in a crowd that might normally not be there on a Wednesday,” he said.

Schlanz said the job fair is centrally located in the mall building. There will also be a “resource room” set up in a former jewelry store.

“There’ll be some computers there for people who need to apply for jobs while they’re there or print off a resume,” Schlanz said.

He said organizers would also have some additional tools in the form of “virtual reality career goggles,” Oculus software that will show videos of day-to-day activities in various occupations.

Commissioner J.P. Dutton said the job fair is invaluable.

“You guys do a fantastic job with the job fair. You guys did a great job with the pandemic,” he said. “We hear a lot from employers across the county in terms of looking for additional workers and additional workforce, and we appreciate your efforts on continuing to work with this issue.”

Job seekers are reminded to dress neatly in business casual attire and bring resumes, pens and pencils. They should know their employment history, dates, references, telephone numbers and other information.

Schlanz said more information about the job fair and participating businesses as well as resume assistance can be found at ohiomeansjobs.com/belmont.