By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— The Employer Support of Guard and Reserves is hosting a job fair for employers and job seekers throughout the Greater Birmingham area at the Pelham Civic Center Oct. 6.

Job seekers of all ages can explore dozens of employment and volunteer opportunities as well as nonprofits with employment assistance programs from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the complex.

“We are here to try and help the individual find that work,” Marvin Copes, coordinator with Positive Maturity said. “There is a high (amount of) unemployment.”

As of Sept. 23, Copes said there were 35 employers and organizations signed up for the event, but he expects to have between 40 and 45. He said they are particularly stressing military.

Although the event is open to the public, veterans and active military will receive additional follow-ups to aid them with their job search.

“These men and women who served, served very gallantly,” Copes said. “A lot of them did not return or returned with problems. I want to make sure what we are doing today, we are doing everything we can to help.”

He explained that a large number of military personnel either entered the service without employment or left their current job to serve. Although employers are supposed to hire those personnel back when they return, Copes said it isn’t always the case.

That is why he branched out to host the job fairs. The most recent job fair Copes was involved in was in Gardendale on Aug. 11, and there were more than 760 people in attendance.

In addition to employers, Copes said many organizations with job assistance programs will also attend. AWARE, a program for aging workers, works with job seekers 50 years or older, and the person who funds the nationwide “Heroes to Hire” will also be at the fair.

The event is personally important to Copes, who served at the Eastern German border in the ‘60s. He currently volunteers for Blue Star Salute, the Alabama National Cemetery and Wreaths Across America.

“I saw what people thought of the military at Vietnam, and I have vowed not to let that same thing happen again,” Copes said.  “Our military were not treated well when they got back.”

For more information about the job fair, contact Marvin Copes at 669-3837 or marvinc@positivematurity.org.