1,000-plus job seekers meet potential employers

Sportsman writer inks Cajun-based book geared for children
June 14, 2016
Sportsman writer inks Cajun-based book geared for children
June 14, 2016
Sportsman writer inks Cajun-based book geared for children
June 14, 2016
Sportsman writer inks Cajun-based book geared for children
June 14, 2016

More than 1,000 workers bearing the brunt of the local economic slowdown shared handshakes and résumés with potential employers Friday.

The South Louisiana Economic Council teamed with Louisiana Economic Development and Fletcher Technical Community College to host an industrial fair for out-of-work skilled laborers at the technical college’s campus in Gray. The fair featured lines of workers talking with different companies from around the state about available job openings.


According to SLEC President and CEO Vic Lafont, more than 900 job seekers had pre-registered for the fair online, and another 200 to 300 had shown up to register for the event by 10 a.m. Lafont expected the count of job seekers to reach as high as 1,600 before the event ended. In all, 31 Louisiana companies, with opportunities ranging from Lake Charles to Baton Rouge and New Orleans turned out.

“The point is that these people that get employed, they don’t have to leave here. These areas are within driving distance. We don’t want them to relocate because they don’t want to relocate. The goal is for us to get back employed where they’re within driving distance of here,” Lafont said.

Katherine Gilbert-Theriot, business retention and expansion director for the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority, said while there is concern about some of the local workforce leaving Terrebonne permanently for a new job, the focus is on finding immediate help for the parish’s citizens.


“That’s always a worry, but the most important priority right now is helping people find work and support their families,” she said.

Nick Landry was among those looking to make a connection with an employer at the fair. Landry has worked at Conrad Industries for nine years, the last three of which he has served as a safety representative. However, a few weeks ago, Conrad told Landry they would be laying him off in light of the down market.

“It was kind of a surprise. I didn’t expect it. Companies don’t usually cut safety reps,” the Houma resident said.


Landry said the market for safety reps has been as tough as other local industry positions. Though he did not walk away with a concrete job offer at Fletcher, he did make inroads.

“It’s been pretty good. I’ve talked to a few companies. Not many are looking for safety right now, but they said if they find something they’ll let me know,” he said.