TOPINKA KICKS-OFF EDWARDSVILLE EMPLOYMENT EXPO
Comptroller greets job seekers, employers
EDWARDSVILLE – Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka greeted hundreds of job seekers and more than 50 employers at Lewis & Clark Community College, N. O. Nelson Campus Tuesday for Employment Expo: Metro East, the third in a series of events targeting unemployment and the financial stresses facing residents.
Sponsored by the Comptroller’s Office in partnership with Lewis & Clark Community College, Madison County and the Southern Illinois Employers Association, the Expo brought together job seekers with state vendors and other local employers. Beyond featuring employment opportunities, the event offered free retraining and professional development workshops.
Joined at a kick-off program by Lewis & Clark Community College President Dale Chapman, Madison County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan, and Edwardsville Mayor Gary Niebur, Topinka highlighted the economic difficulties facing families and communities throughout the state and nation.
“Each and every one of us has a story – either of trying to find or keep a job, or having a close friend or family member who is out of work or living in fear of the next round of layoffs,” said Topinka, highlighting the state’s 10 percent unemployment rate. “And at the same time, we know that there are Illinois businesses that are hiring. The key is to get job seekers in front of the people who are doing the hiring – and that’s what our Employment Expos are all about.”
The event delivered provided a much-needed service for the region, Dunstan added.
“This is an excellent occasion for folks to get an idea of the types of jobs that are available and to explore educational opportunities that might prepare them to compete for openings,” Dunstan said. “I am pleased that we can combine resources with Comptroller Topinka and Lewis and Clark Community College to better serve the residents of our area who are looking for work.”
Employment Expo: Metro East was the third in a series of Comptroller’s office events targeting unemployment. The initial Expo took place in November in Rockford, with another Expo held in Elgin last month. The Expos build on partnerships between the Comptroller’s Office and state and local vendors, businesses and associations. As the office responsible for paying the state's bills, the Comptroller is in constant contact with state vendors, which were recruited to participate in the Expos.
For more information on Employment Expo: Metro East, or the Comptroller’s Office, please visit illinoiscomptroller.com.
“In this economy, a job makes all the difference,” Topinka said. “We want to do everything we can to put people in position to find employment and succeed, that is why we launched the Employment Expo initiative. We look forward to hosting similar events in the future throughout the state.”
