KINGSTON – The inaugural Career and Job fair was conducted Monday at Kingston High School as employers gathered at the Kate Walton Field House seeking potential employees.
“We’re doing this to bring young people from Kingston and the surrounding area into the workforce,” said Kristine Conte, a community-relations specialist for the Kingston City School District.
Car dealers, banks, construction companies, non-profits, local police and state corrections were among the employers looking for workers, including adults, young adults and youth to fill positions.
The unemployment rate for youth in the Kingston is high, but Conte said there are job opportunities for youth ages 14-17.
Craig Strasser, an organizer for Local 21 of the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters, had a table set up in the gym as he seeks a younger generation of unionized workers.
“I am looking for the next generation,” he said. “We try to bring them into the union.”
Strasser said there is not a shortage of non-unionized plumbers and steamfitters in this area, but nationally there is a shortage of about 300,000 workers to fill plumbing and welding positions.
But as the Baby Boomer generation continues to retire, Strasser’s local retires 30-50 workers a year from that age group – without ample replacements.
“More are retiring then were a bringing in,” he said.
