Nearly 50 vendors set up shop at the Soldotna Sports Complex for the annual Kenai Peninsula Job and Career Fair on Thursday.

The event allowed community members to explore various sectors either offering employment, education or training services.

Among the industries represented at the fair were oil, health, transportation and automotive, seafood, military, and training and education areas.

Tasha Nichols, a human resources manager for First National Bank Alaska, said during the event that what she looks for in candidates is an eagerness to learn and be part of a team environment.

“We are really big about employee(s) and promoting from within,” Nichols said. “We definitely want to note that we have the growth opportunities if someone is invested and wants that career growth.”

She said there are currently three openings at the bank on the Kenai Peninsula: a universal teller, a loan assistant and a mortgage loan officer. For some of the positions within the company, Nichols also said managers are working toward implementing incentive and professional development programs.

Another vendor at the fair was Frontier Community Services, a local nonprofit that provides services for people with disabilities.

Dottie Herrick, a human resources administrative specialist at the organization, said the last few years during the pandemic have been difficult.

“It’s frustrating to not be able to have the number of people we need to take care of our individuals that we do have,” she said. “People are ending up working a lot of overtime, and then you see burnout, which doesn’t help our cause either.”

Herrick said Frontier Community Services is currently looking for a registered nurse, three to four direct support staff members and an administrative worker. The organization is also offering a $300 sign-on bonus after 90 days and a $1,000 sign-on bonus after one year of work.

Cody and Marisa Nickoloff found out about Thursday’s event on Facebook. Cody said he took information from some of the equipment operating and construction booths, and Marisa was interested in working in health care.

“I’m looking for training so I can advance into a better career,” Cody said. “I don’t want to do hard labor anymore.”

Marisa said something that works with her schedule is important to her.

“It would be something that I can work with, because I got four kids at home,” she said, “so something that’s a little flexible with me and something that’s easy for me so I’m not exhausted after work.”

The Peninsula Job Center sponsored Thursday’s event. The center offers registered apprenticeships, skills testing, on-the-job training, construction training and job readiness workshops, among other services.

Reach the Peninsula Job Center at 907-335-3010.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

Community members participate in the Kenai Peninsula Job and Career Fair at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)