Fire Departments Seek Employees At VGCC’s 23rd Annual Career Day
Henderson-Vance County Fire Chief Daniel E. Wilkerson said he’ll definitely have representatives at Vance-Granville Community College’s 23rd annual Career Day program March 28.
The fire departments are among about 100 area businesses, industries and agencies that have been invited to participate in the annual Career Day event, to be held in the Civic Center on the college’s main campus in Vance County.
VGCC sponsors Career Day each spring to give potential graduating students and graduates an opportunity to learn more about area and regional job opportunities. It also provides participating firms a job market pool from which to seek out and hire employees. In most cases, representatives will set up displays and hand out literature on their organizations. This allows employers to market their companies and agencies as they meet with prospective employees, said Barbara Smith, VGCC Career Center coordinator and Career Day planner.
In addition to Vance-Granville students and alumni, college faculty and staff members will attend the event. Robert A. Miller, VGCC president, said that contact between VGCC people and the business representatives helps the college more effectively plan to prepare students for the workplace.
Chief Wilkerson said the fire department’s medical unit will probably be at Career Day, and experienced firefighters/emergency medical technicians will be on hand to explain what they do and to answer questions.
“It is a big plus for us to have Vance-Granville Community College here in this community,” Wilkerson said. All local fire training for the city and county departments, as well as volunteer departments, is done through VGCC. Also, the Vance County Fire Department has paramedics on its ambulances, and they are trained through Vance-Granville, as well as emergency medical technicians, he added.
“Having this training available locally is the only way we can compete for personnel,” Wilkerson said. Firefighters/EMTs also need computer skills today, and that training is available at VGCC.
Career Day will be divided into two phases. From 9 a.m. to 12 noon, representatives of businesses, industries and agencies will share information about the availability of employment with VGCC students and graduates. They will also share information on training and skills required for specific jobs, earnings and benefits, working conditions, career opportunities and advancement.
Between 1 and 3 p.m., VGCC seniors who will graduate from curriculum programs this year and past graduates will participate in prearranged, on-site job interviews with prospective employers. Potential graduates and graduates must sign up for interviews at the college Career Center by March 14, Smith said.
Companies or agencies should have been contacted about the 2001 Career Day. Any who have not and would like information on the event may call Barbara Smith at (252) 492-2061, ext. 3326.
