The second annual Hire Summit Aiken is set for April 22 at Aiken High School on Rutland Drive.
It is a partnership between the Aiken County Public School District, the Career and Technology Center, and the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW). It also involves the Barnwell and Edgefield County school districts.
Joni McDaniel, the Lower Savannah Regional Workforce Advisor with DEW, told ABD they are calling on area businesses and industries to participate. The event is for high school seniors preparing to graduate and join the workforce.
“I’m working with Aiken County School District, Barnwell County School District, and then my counterpart is working with the Edgefield schools to get the students there. Now we just need to get the businesses to come and participate,” she said. “We want businesses who have job openings, so it’s a little different than our typical career exploration event. This is “come and meet your future workforce,” the workforce that’s ready to hit the ground running as soon as they graduate.”
McDaniel said 14 businesses participated in the inaugural summit. Those businesses are returning and they are hoping to attract newcomers. She said the space can accommodate up to 60 businesses. There is no specific business or company most suited to participate in the summit.
“Any business that has that entry-level position. We have everything from welding to culinary arts to health sciences, cosmetology marketing programs. So, there are students who’ve been working two or three years to develop these skills, and now they’re ready to join the workforce,” she said.
Organizers will provide tables and chairs for each business. They will also set aside space for any business that wants to interview a student for an initial screening process. Businesses can provide information specific to their company.
“They definitely want to bring things that are going to advertise their company, information that tells about their company. Any job postings that they would like to share, or descriptions of jobs and things they might want students to take away to apply online, because we realize so many applications are done online now,” she said.
While open to all high school seniors, this event is particularly useful for students in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Students should be dressed appropriately to meet potential employers, have copies of their resumes, and be ready to give their “30-second elevator pitch” to the business representatives.
In addition to giving students direct contact with potential employers, McDaniel said the summit can be a confidence builder.
“All of the tools that we’re working with them, the students to put into their toolbox,” she explained. “What is a resume? What does a resume look like? A cover letter? What is your 30-second elevator pitch? How do you dress for success? We always spend quite a bit of time with the students, building their personal brand. It’s not what you think about yourself, but how others view you and what they’re going to say about you.”
The summit will be in the James A. Taylor Memorial gymnasium at Aiken High at 449 Rutland Dr. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DEW has created an online form for businesses that want to participate.
For more information contact Joni McDaniel at 803.378.9510 or jmcdaniel@dew.sc.gov
