"Job Fair 2009 will offer viewers throughout the state an excellent opportunity to better understand the employment services available through the Georgia Department of Labor to help them survive the current recession," state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond saod. "Job Fair 2009 continues our efforts to lay the foundation for Georgia's economic recovery. We are especially pleased that for the first time, our broadcast will feature a large career expo and job fair in Macon."
The Macon-Middle Georgia Career Expo and Job Fair, co-sponsored by the labor department and WMAZ-TV, will be featured throughout the statewide broadcast. The Expo and Job fair will be held from 1-5 p.m. at the Macon Centreplex.
"People are looking for solutions in today's economy and we need to do everything possible to help Central Georgians find available resources," said Jeff Dudley, president and general manager for WMAZ-TV. "We are excited to work with the Georgia Department of Labor on this important project."
Job Fair 2009 will provide information about community resources available to workers who've lost jobs from layoffs and business closings, as well as the labor department's role in helping them find new jobs and careers.
Teya Ryan, GPB president and executive director, said, "Every corner of Georgia has been affected by the employment challenges this year, so we are proud once again to partner with the Department of Labor for our television, radio and web communities. Our mission is to produce programs that educate and inform and we're confident that Job Fair 2009 will provide Georgians with valuable tools to succeed in this challenging economic climate."
Among the guests scheduled to appear are Commissioner Ron Jackson, Technical College System of Georgia; Kenneth Heaghney, state economist; and Gary A. McGaha, Ph.D., president of Atlanta Metropolitan College.
The GDOL will have 160 experts available to answer questions from viewers who may wish to call in during the fair. Viewers may also ask questions and receive immediate answers via the Internet. Job Fair 2009 will be Webcast over the Internet. To watch the Web cast, or ask questions, visit the labor department's Web site at www.dol.state.ga.us.
Job Fair 2009 will be re-broadcast May 18, from midnight-2 a.m. on GPB's nine-station network, which includes Savannah's WVAN/9.1. It is on channel 9 on many area TV systems.
Two days prior to Job Fair, on May 15, from 3-4 p.m., Thurmond and staff from the labor department will participate in Jobs in Georgia: A call-in over GPB Radio. Listeners will be able to call during the program to ask about the current state of the job market and the wide variety of career resources provided by the labor department.
The toll-free telephone number for listeners to call during the program is 1-866-RADIOGA (1-866-723-4642). A taped re-play of the program will be rebroadcast June 22, at 10 a.m. on GPB Radio.
The GPB radio station in this area is 91.1 FM out of Savannah.