By Geoff Fox
RUSKIN – Hillsborough Community College’s South Shore campus was crowded with hundreds of job-seekers during the annual South County Job Fair on Wednesday.
The event, sponsored by Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman, Career Source Tampa Bay and HCC, started at 8:30 a.m. and ended at noon.
“First thing in the morning, it was packed,” said Melanie Davis, executive director of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. “There’s always a great turnout.”
Job-seekers had the opportunity to speak to over 30 potential employers, including Amazon, Penske Truck Leasing, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System, USAA, The Guardian Network, Hillsborough County, Capital One and Edward Jones, the investment firm.
Joe Misiti, staffing coordinator with American Builders Supply, said he was impressed by the turnout. He said the company was looking for service technicians, drivers and warehouse workers, among other positions.
“We’re here looking for talent,” Misiti said. “The housing industry is booming right now; it just keeps getting bigger and bigger.”
By 10:30 a.m., Misiti said he had spoken to about 20 potential employees.
Garrison Accardi, social media manager with Delaware North, a global food service and hospitality company, was seeking seasonal, part-time employees to work at Amalie Arena in Tampa.
“Overall, we’re looking for about 400 people,” Accardi said. “It’s everything regarding food and beverage inside the arena. The event’s been really good so far. It’s a great number of people.”
Among those seeking employment was Ann Matthews, 42, of Valrico, who said she was in between jobs.
“I’m looking for administrative, accounting, finance or something in the health care industry,” Matthews said. “I just walked in, and I’ve talked to five companies in about 10 minutes.”
