There’s been much written in recent weeks and months about the difficulties that employers are having finding employees.

While the situation may be improving locally to some degree, the WCCBI and QuickStaff Warren are planning the 2022 edition of the “Warren County Job Fair Series.”

“We have been working with Brent Erskine and his team over at QuickStaff and Employers Strategic Partnership Group for many years now to put together job fairs,” John Papalia, the chamber’s director of operations and tourism, said. “The business community has always supported them over the years, we typically have 15-20 businesses or organizations at the event looking to hire.”

Each of the sessions will run from noon to 6 p.m. at the Days Inn Warren at 210 Ludlow St. The dates are currently set for March 23, June 8 and Sept. 8.

“Over the years we have had nice attendance from job seekers who can interact, apply and even interview with area businesses,” Papalia said. “It’s a great way to bring everyone together and give businesses and job seekers the opportunity to connect.”

The events are free to the public.

Pandemic-related complications made fostering these employer-employee connections more challenging.

“We moved to an outside format at Betts Park last year, and the attendance of job seekers were down last year,” Papalia said. “As we move into this year, we are excited to get back to our traditional format inside at the Days Inn to connect businesses to individuals.”

The pandemic brought substantial shifts to segments of the labor market which has left a host of local companies with significant workforce shortages.

“Finding employees remains challenging,” Papalia explained. “I think we have seen some improvement from last year, and I have seen an uptick in interest, inquiries, and applications on the platforms in which we post jobs for our member businesses, this includes our Jobs in Warren County Facebook Page.

“We are hopeful that as we move forward into this year we can continue to work to promote and assist our area business with their employee needs.”

Papalia said any business or individual interested in participating in the job fairs can email him at jpapalia@wccbi.org or call (814) 723-3050.