Job applicants take tests and fill out job applications on iPads that were provided by Wood County Schools at the job fair on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Wood County Schools held its annual job fair in the main lobby of the Caperton Center for Applied Technology on the campus of West Virginia University at Parkersburg on Tuesday.

The job fair, which has been held at Grand Pointe Conference Center in previous years, provides individuals who are searching for jobs at Wood County Schools with application resources and assistance.

The school system has positions available for teachers, substitutes, counselors, custodians, bus drivers, transportation and more.

“So depending on the needs of the district, sometimes the positions will change but we definitely do need substitute service employees right now,” said Teacher Certification and Licensure Administrator Stephanie Cunningham.

Cunningham said they’ve been hosting a job fair for about three to four years and it’s been successful with helping individuals apply and find positions in the district that are best suited for them.

Personnel with Wood County Schools help an individual fill out a job application on one of the provided iPads in the Caperton Center for Applied Technology on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“This is our first one out here in Caperton and we’re trying to do these as needed,” she said.

There were school directors and human resource personnel who were available at the job fair to answer questions, provide application assistance, and get to know the applicants.

For the positions that require testing, there was a separate room available for applicants to take required tests and fill out an application.

School personnel were available in the application and testing room to provide help and guidance for anyone filling out forms.

“We’re here to recruit people, talk to them, and let them know what the job is even about so they can decide if they’re interested in it because we need people,” said Chad Bloss, director of transportation. “There were a couple of people that were interested in becoming bus operators.”

Personnel with Wood County Schools help an individual fill out a job application on one of the provided iPads in the Caperton Center for Applied Technology on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Before people applied for positions while at the job fair, Wood County School personnel were present to inform individuals if they met the job qualifications.

Bus drivers, for example, require specific training, a CDL (commercial driver’s license), and must be at least 21 years old in order to obtain a CDL.

“Some people, after talking to them, don’t meet the criteria if they hadn’t had an operator’s license long enough to apply to get a CDL,” said Bloss.

Cunningham said in the past they’d have 100-200 people attend the job fair but this year they had about 50.

“It was a lot busier this morning but I think the new location might be a hindrance,” she said. “A lot of people have become more comfortable with just going online and filling out the application without help.”

Wood County Schools held a job fair at the Caperton Center for Applied Technology building on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Cunningham said the job fair is a great way for people to have access to all of the materials, applications and resources.

“It makes it very convenient,” she said. “It’s a one-stop-shop.”

She said that everyone should apply and they will consider all applications for the hiring process.

To apply for a position or view available positions at Wood County Schools, visit www.woodcountyschoolswv.com/page/careers

Wood County Schools Teacher Certification and Licensure Administrator Stephanie Cunningham helps an individual with a job application. (Photo by Amber Phipps)