Hundreds Of Job Seekers Attend Cherokee Career Expo

CANTON, GA — Hundreds of people took advantage of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development's fourth annual Cherokee Career Expo, which was held this week with the help of the Georgia Department of Labor.

COED notes more than 300 job seekers were able to connect with 38 leading employers in the county. Attendees were also provided with free resume review assistance from Reinhardt University and Chattahoochee Technical College’s Career Services Center.

Cherokee continues to attract world-class talent and industries at a record-setting pace. Over the past year, COED as announced the following new and expanding businesses:

• The YANMAR EVO//CENTER
• OECHSLER Motion, Inc. (adidas Speedfactory)
• Northside Hospital Cherokee
• Universal Alloy Corporation – Ball Ground Facility
• Papa John’s Quality Control Center and Regional Hub
• Jaipur Living Global Headquarters
• Chart Industries Headquarters
• Woodstock Furniture Outlet Headquarters and Distribution Facility

Expo attendees connected with representatives from a diverse group of companies, such as OECHSLER Motion, Inc. — known as adidas Speedfactory, — Northside Hospital Cherokee, Packaging Atlanta Corp., Southeast Restoration, thyssenkrupp, Universal Alloy Corporation and YANMAR America.

“When businesses build a bridge of opportunity with the local community, the possibilities are endless – and that’s what the Cherokee Career Expo is all about,” said COED President Misti Martin. “Cherokee County’s winning combination of talent and cutting-edge innovation – along with its prime location in North Atlanta – are the driving forces behind why businesses are choosing to make Cherokee home.”

adidas Speedfactory, which received the 2017 “Georgia Deal of the Year” Award for Cherokee County, was among the employers at the 2018 Cherokee Career Expo.

“We are invested in the growth and well-being of the local economy,” said Justina Brown, director of Finance and Administration for OECHSLER Motion, Inc. “One of the reasons we chose to locate within Cherokee 75 Corporate Park is because of the area’s diversity and availability of skilled workers. Last year, we only had a few positions available and hired a couple of folks that we met at the expo. Now that we are full swing into production, we have many more openings and were excited to join the Cherokee Career Expo again to meet more talented local candidates.”

Carolina Fernandez, a human resources generalist for Jaipur Living, attended this year’s expo as an employer and represents one of the county's many success stories.

“I was driving from my home in Woodstock all the way to Norcross every day for 13 years," she added. "After years of driving, I wanted to find a job closer to home. I came to the Cherokee Career Expo last year and found my dream job. Jaipur Living was looking to hire an HR generalist, and that is exactly what I wanted to do. Jaipur Living called me right away and I was hired.”

Northside Hospital Cherokee, which is currently hiring for a wide variety of roles, was also in attendance on Wednesday.

“Cherokee County is the third healthiest county in Georgia, and I believe a major reason for that is the quality care delivered by the Northside Hospital Cherokee,” said CEO Billy Hayes. "Last year, we opened a brand-new, state-of-the-art hospital and created hundreds of new jobs. Events like the Cherokee Career Expo allow us to recruit local talent who share our passion to serve the growing health care needs of our region.”

As part of the expo, attendees were also given the opportunity to receive onsite employment assistance, training, and educational resources through the WorkSource Regional Atlanta Mobile Lab, an interactive experience that connects talent with opportunity.

Image via Cherokee Office of Economic Development