Lake George High School job fair brings students, employers together
LAKE GEORGE, NY – Nearly 300 Lake George High School students were connected with 30 local businesses Wednesday, March 16 during the second annual Warren County Employment & Training Administration youth summer job fair at the high school.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural job fair, businesses from around the region networked with and took employment applications from students as the busy summer season approaches.
The 2022 job fair brought more students and businesses together than the 2021 event.
“I’m thrilled that this event is now part of the school tradition in Lake George, as we always enjoy working with the Lake George Junior-Senior High School staff and students,” said Liza Ochsendorf, Director of Warren County Employment & Training Administration. “This is a win-win initiative because it supports student development as well as the local economy. I firmly believe that youth development is workforce development and that workforce development is economic development.”
Lake George High Principal Francis Cocozza praised Lake George students along with the school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter and Business Teachers Brenda Hoffman and Karen Breslin, for working with Warren County Employment & Training to make the job fair a “huge success.”
“For anyone who has ever said that ‘kids in our region just do not want to work,’ yesterday's job fair completely dispels that myth,” Cocozza said. “Our students were excited and interested in learning about the various employment opportunities within the Lake George Region. Approximately 300 students at Lake George High School in grades 8-12 participated in this job fair. Thank you to Liza Ochsendorf and her office of Warren County Employment & Training Administration and all the area businesses and community partners for all the coordination to pull this event together.”
The 30 participating businesses this year completed an orientation beforehand to help them be most successful at the fair, and they were extremely creative in their decorative tables to engage students.
The students voted on their favorite tables and the top four businesses received nice prizes. Revolution Rail Co. brought a rail bike, while Lake George Escape Campground had a knight in full armor!
In addition, the students who are hired between now and May 1st, will be entered into a raffle for prizes and gift cards donated by many supporting businesses.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the following businesses and organizations for their sponsorship to make this event a success:
- Fort William Henry
- Charlie’s Bar & Kitchen
- Lake George Coffee Co.
- Scotty’s Lakeside Resort
- The Bond 1786
- The Shack at Bolton Landing
- The Inn at Erlowest
- Happy Jacks
- Mikado
- Bullpen Tavern
- Lakefront Terrace Resort
- CDTA
- Community, Work and Independence (CWI)
Said Duane Bullard, Activities Director Lake George Escape Camping Resort: “I am so happy we were able to participate in the Lake George High School Job Fair. This is a super opportunity for students to interact with local business owners and managers. Having the chance to talk to high school students allowed us to hear what is important to them, which gives us the chance to adapt our marketing for this age group. This job fair also allowed students the opportunity to hear what we are looking for and our expectations, and I think this introduction provides a great starting point.”
Said Michelle Huck, Bolton Town Recreation Director: "The Town of Bolton was happy to be involved in such a great event. The Job Fair provided a well-organized opportunity for the participants and employers seeking to recruit for various seasonal positions. Of course, the Lifeguarding opportunities available at The Town of Bolton will not only provide participants with a summer job, but ultimately provide local youth with a job that teaches crucial life skills."
Warren County Employment & Training is working with other school districts around the region to see if a similar event is feasible on their campuses. Warren County school districts that would like to set up a job fair for their students can contact Ochsendorf at ochsendorfl@warrencountyny.gov or 518-824-8865.
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