TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today applauded the success of the recent KANSASWORKS Statewide Virtual Job Fair, which involved some 165 employers and 1,497 jobseekers.

After the online event from Tuesday, June 23, to Thursday, June 25, participating employers reported strong response from people looking for work statewide.

“The economic impact of COVID-19 has led to an enormous need for workforce services in our state, but health and safety concerns mean in-person job fairs can’t happen,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “The virtual job fair was an innovative model to keep Kansans healthy and to keep Kansas open for business.”

The success of the virtual job fair demonstrated Kansans’ ability to adapt to challenges in providing a virtual tool to connect jobseekers with a variety of employment opportunities across the state. Employers represented in the June 23 virtual job fair included:

  • KanEquip Inc.
  • Foley Equipment
  • Fuller Industries
  • Johns Manville
  • National Beef
  • PKM Steel Service Inc.
  • Salina Regional Health Center
  • Cornejo
  • Russell Stover
  • Reser’s Fine Foods
  • Johnsonville
  • Dillons
  • Glassman Corporation
  • CivicPlus
  • ADT
  • Bombardier Aviation
  • Creekstone Farms
  • Southwest Medical Center
  • Farmers Insurance
  • Goodwill Industries of Kansas
  • Emprise Bank
  • Wichita Public Schools
  • The University of Kansas

“In these challenging times, we have to be flexible,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “I’m proud of our KANSASWORKS team for its creativity in making sure that Kansans continue to have access to employers in a way that keeps everyone safe.”

As concerns for the health and safety of Kansans remain high due to COVID-19, the Department of Commerce will maintain the virtual job fair system for the remainder of 2020. Statewide events will be held on the following dates:

  • July 28-30
  • August 25-27
  • September 22-24
  • October 27-29
  • December 8-9

As these dates get closer, updates will be provided with employer and jobseeker registration links for each individual virtual fair.

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