Job seekers turn out in full force

Twenty-five businesses hoped to select applicants for open positions from among the scores of recently unemployed at the Iowa Workforce Development’s job fair held last Thursday at the Montgomery County Family YMCA. The overflowing parking lot indicated there is an eager-to-work force in and around Red Oak.

Almost two years ago, ROMECH closed its doors, laying off nearly 400 workers. More recently, in a surprise move within weeks of new management’s takeover, Echo Windows, formerly TRACO, closed in spite of incoming orders. That plant closing left over 100 without jobs, though some had worked more than 10 years with the company. With other area businesses experiencing the domino effects of a slowing economy, dozens attended the job fair to see if they could find a good fit for their skills and knowledge.

Josh Huddle, formerly production manager at Echo, had his resume with him as he interviewed for job openings. “I’ve applied about 25 places so far before coming here, and I’m open to just about anything. I like to work. I’m not one to sit around home.”

He has been around the house, though, because he and his wife pulled their preschooler out of daycare and he watches their school-age child, too, to save that expense. He’s been applying for jobs online, too.

“It’s seemed like a long month already,” added Dusty Fielder,

formerly team captain and supervisor at Echo. He, too, is caring for his preschooler at home and applying online when he can’t go out looking for work.

John Lucky was a saw operator at Traco, but Thursday he decided he’d look into criminal correctional facility openings in Clarinda. They were there, but not needing immediate hires. He looked at Fres-co and at Mahle and Fansteel, too. He knows he needs to find something as soon as he can.

“Things have been pretty skimpy. We’ve had to cut back a lot of things, but I feel for everybody here. We’re all friends and family,” Lucky said, looking around at people he used to work beside.

Phil Larson says he has plenty to do at home. Last Monday’s tornado hit Larson’s place as it twisted and tangled its way through the Tinville area. He has lots of trees to clean up, but he came out to see if someone was offering a job that would match the skills that have gotten him a paycheck before. He’s been a mailman in Stanton, built houses, farmed 80 acres and worked in conservation before he worked five years at Traco/Echo.

“This was kind of a double whammy, to lose my job and then have a tornado tear up the place. We had a big tree over both cars, but we were really lucky because they didn’t get hurt much,” Larson said.

Darin Goehring said he found quite a few interesting job situations at the job fair and he’s seriously thinking about going back into the military. He’s done independent computer consulting for three years, “but,” he says, “there’s not been a super high demand” and he needs to help support two daughters. He thinks the best option may be going back into the military.

“They’d pay for college, too,” Goehring said. He has a bachelor’s degree already, but he’ll consider options additional schooling will give him.

Christina Evans thought a lot of people had turned out for the job fair. Her dream job as been working at RO-MECH, but she’ll probably go to school, maybe in accounting.

“I used to be decent in math,” Evans said.

Rachael Emeterio has worked several places but she’s hopeful she can get back on at the greenhouse.

James McIntosh was at RO-MECH 22 years, and when it closed, he got on at Pella.

“Pella was a good job. The only reason I changed jobs was because my daughter was in high school sports and my hours weren’t letting me ever see her play. I took the job at Eaton when it opened up, but they laid people off Nov. 11. I’ve worked assembly and other places, but my dream job would be driving a forklift again. My daughter hopes to go to college, so I’m hoping I can get a job soon.”

McIntosh has some prospects, but in the meantime, his family will again save money by gardening.

“My wife works at Earl May, so at least we have insurance. You got to have insurance.”

Sonja Govig was glad she’d come to the job fair. She’d been an office manager in Clarinda, but she’s been out of work since October.

“Actually, I just got an interview set up and I’m very excited,” Govig said.

Others, too, may be getting called.

“We had lots of people and it’s possible we may be able to hire a few. Currently we’re looking for TIG welding or NDT/ASNT (radiology) experience, and we’re expanding,” said Amy Reed, human resource supervisor for Fansteel Wellman Dynamics in Creston. On her display table sat molds of aluminum and magnesium castings for both aerospace and the auto industry. “We make parts for the Apache helicopter and the B22 and even the Toyota racing car.”

For some who completed applications Thursday, their career may be about to take off.