CTE's Reverse Job Fair: A New Twist on an Old Game

What's a Reverse Job Fair? Who's involved? Check out the program from today's event for all the info.

Area employers got a look at their future employees Tuesday. CTE students got even more.

Clare-Gladwin CTE held its first-ever Reverse Job Fair, inviting local employers to meet with its students who are training to work in industries ranging from Welding and Manufacturing to Digital Media and Criminal Justice.

For employers, it was a chance to help students polish their interview skills and perhaps spot a future employee. For students, they began preparing for the fair months ago, getting their resumes in order, pulling together work samples and trying to prepare for something everybody goes through - a job interview. 

What's a Reverse Job Fair? At most job fairs, employers set up booths and prospective employees look to find which companies offer the best jobs. At the Reverse Job Fair, our CTE students were seated at a table with resumes, info cards and in some cases work samples in front of them, while prospective employers looked to find who offers the most to their company.

"For being the first time we've ever held one of these, it went well," said CTE Work-Based Learning Coordinator and Student Mentor Eric Johnson. "The students were engaged and presented themselves and their work very well, and the employers really did a great job asking tough questions and genuinely trying to learn more about these kids and their skills. We're already talking about how to make next year's event even better."

Employers attending included Rogers Group; Anlaan Corporation; Roll Rite LLC; JD Metal Works; Flynn Lumber; Clare County Youth Police Cadets; Robinson Industries; Local #7 Sheetmetal Union; Durga Agency LLC; Gladwin Machine; E&D Engineering; Central Michigan Manufacturers Association; Merrill Technologies Group; Mid Michigan Community College; Clare-Gladwin RESD; and Michigan Works!