Job hunting during a pandemic can be challenging, but Jon Cox recently got two promising leads during a job fair in Skokie.
The Bensenville native was one of about 100 job seekers who took part in a Sept. 23 job fair featuring 19 companies at the Symbol Training Institute in Skokie, a CNC machining trade school offering hands-on and advanced manufacturing training programs.
“I am looking for a stable environment in which to pursue my career that I was trained it,” said Cox, who is a machinist. “I’m seeing a lot of employers hungry for workers.”
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Diana Peters, executive director of the Symbol Training Institute, said since COVID-19 hit, manufacturing companies have desperately been looking for machinists and other workers.
“We are putting Chicagoans back to work,” she said. “Now is the time more than ever because we have so many individuals who are coming off unemployment looking for work.”
She said the demand for workers remains high.
“Manufacturing companies never stopped with production, however they’re seeing a need more than ever now for skilled workers,” she added. “That is where the gap lies.”
Farman Rafi, with Midland Manufacturing in Skokie, agrees.
He said his company hoped to find candidates at the job fair to fill 10 machinist and assembly jobs.
“There’s been a lack of machinists,” he said. “Nobody wants to work. But we’re very competitive with pay. We’re constantly looking for good people to come in and work.”
Atland Caruth, 28, lives in Chicago and is a student at the Symbol Training Institute. He said he was encouraged by what he was hearing from company representatives.
“They’ve got a lot of good opportunities I probably would not have heard of if I didn’t come here,” he said.
He also said that more than simply finding a job, he hopes to start a career with a company where he can grow and develop and become a better machinist. He also had some advice for job seekers.
“Keep trying,” he said. “Do your best. Be diligent with it. It’s easy to push it off until tomorrow. Take the time to really do it.”
Peters said manufacturing “is the backbone of America” and that jobs are available for people who want to work.
“Chicago has one of the largest manufacturing communities in the country,” she said. “There are more jobs here in the Chicago area than anywhere.”
Brian L. Cox is a freelance reporter.