Burlington, IA – More than 1,900 people turned out for the Southeast Iowa Regional Job Fair in 2008. This year, the total dropped to just over 1,000.
The decrease in participation comes at a time when unemployment is on the rise in Southeast Iowa. In fact, three Southeast Iowa counties are among the bottom ten in the state for February unemployment rates.
Diane Harris with Iowa Workforce Development says unemployment rates do not have a signifcant impact on the Southeast Iowa Regional Job Fair. She believes most of those in attendance were looking for a different job.
The event included interview assistance, resume reviews, and other job skills.
Harris says the increasing unemployment rates may have had an impact on the number of employers. She says 17 fewer booths were set up this year, compared to last year.
Some of the perspective employers included the U.S. Army, Withers Broadcasting, Avon, and the Henry County Health Center.
February 2009 Unemployment (Southeast Iowa)
Lee County - 9.2
Henry County - 8.7
Van Buren County - 8.3
Jefferson County - 7.7
Des Moines County - 7.6
Louisa County - 6.8