High School Students Try To Make Jump Into Workforce

Justin Frechette is looking for a good job after he graduates from Apex High School in two weeks. A full-time job with Midway Airlines may be just the ticket.

"Basically, I want to do customer service, reservations and all that," Frechette says. "The hours fix me very well."

Frechette was one of 350 high school seniors that interviewed at Workforce 2000 job fair. In this day and age, students like Frechette are a hot commodity.

"There are a lot of jobs out there, particularly in the service industry that really need to be filled, especially in these times of low unemployment," says Demming Bass of theRaleigh Chamber of Commerce.

"The unemployment is so low here that it is really tough to get an entry-level positions to come it," says Midway Airlines representative Cindy Burdette.

More companies are going out to try to recruit entry-level workers. Several Triangle businesses interviewed students at the job fair to gauge their interests and their skills.

"There are skills that students need to have to be successful in the companies, but the companies say, 'Come work for us, and we will train you,'" says Barbara Wiggins, career development coordinator.

Most students will have to return to the company for a second interview before they are hired, but some may be lucky. Last year, 178 students were hired on the spot at the Workforce job fair.