Riverhead employment expo will showcase expanded opportunities this year, organizers say

The East End Employment Expo is only a week away and the event’s organizers say this year there’s a job opportunity for just about everyone — from architectural drafters and carpenters to teaching assistants and retail employees.

Tracy Stark-James of the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency and board president of the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce said the variety of positions that will be available this year reflects her hopes for future expansion of the event.

“We are pleasantly surprised with the increase in skilled labor positions that are available, which is significant in relation to Riverhead’s growing industrial and manufacturing cluster,” said Stark-James. “I’m elated with the variety in the positions being offered and the quality and level of those positions. Job expos have a connotation of offering entry-level positions and I’d like to grow the job expo into becoming a one-stop shop for professional positions as well.”

She said developments at EPCAL have contributed to the increased need for skilled workers locally. At least five of EPCAL’s businesses will be represented at the East End Employment Expo, including Island Industries, Portable Tech Solutions and Reilly Windows & Doors.

Companies are seeking a multitude of skilled workers including craftsmen, installers, water-proofers, metal fabricators and glazers, in addition to sales representatives and other positions.

“There’s likely to be more than 100 positions available,” said James-Stark. “Ninety percent of the companies get interviews as a result of the expo and there are always several hires afterward.”

Two new restaurants in town, Joe’s Crab Shack on Route 58 and Papa John’s Pizza on East Main Street are expected to be represented at the event, looking for “just about everybody” needed to run their businesses.

Even statewide and federal organizations like the New York State Police and U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be on the lookout for employees at the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center on May 21. The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m.

Other companies include the Blue Duck Bakery and Cafe, Hyatt East End, Hotel Indigo, Riverhead Building Supply, and Hampton Jitney.

“We have a little over 20 companies signed up right now, which is a little less than usual at between 30 and 50 companies, but some are offering several jobs,” said James-Stark. “One company is offering 50 jobs alone.”

The increased number and variety of jobs offered reflects a decreasing state trend in unemployment rates, according to the NYS Department of Labor website.

The Labor department reports joblessness fell from 8.4 percent to 8.2 percent from February to March.

In March, the seasonally adjusted private sector job count grew by 14,100 jobs throughout the state, according to the agency.

On Long Island, this trend has carried through from last year.

Comparing last March and this maIn Nassau and Suffolk Counties, unemployment rates were measured at 6.8 percent this March compared with 7.4 percent during the same month in 2012, according to the Department of Labor’s website.

Though finding a job has been getting statistically easier, James-Stark said attending the expo offers applicants the luxury of meeting their prospective employers face to face.

“This provides a job seeker a foot in the door rather than being just a resume,” she said. “Most companies today are recruiting these type of jobs through electronic media, but they will be available at the expo to individually meet with those seeking employment or career changes.

Those seeking employment are not requested to pre-register, according to a news release about the event. Attendees will register at the door, be provided with a list of participating companies and available positions and will be given the chance to win a door prize.

Companies still looking to participate should contact the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce to register at 727-7600 or visit www.riverheadchamber.com

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