Projected activity at Cape Fear Community College’s job fair Wednesday may be a very positive economic indicator, Stefanie Adams says. Adams, the college’s career and job placement technician, has registered more than 70 employers for the event, a level of participation that required the annual fair to be moved from CFCC’s North Campus to the Windell Daniels Hall at Union Station.

“Last year we had 65 employers. Right now, we’re at 73; I have had to turn people away because of the sheer volume,” she said Tuesday. “The majority of these companies are hiring for multiple positions. We’re really hoping this is a trend.”

The largest sector represented at the job fair is technical, vocation and transportation, with 18 companies participating, Adams said. “There is a definite push in the technical, vocation and transportation category. Corning will be here for the first time.”

Others in this sector range from HVAC companies to home improvement, automotive and metal fabrication businesses.

The service sector will be represented by organizations ranging from the military to beauty salons and preschools.

Other sectors are allied health, customer service, sales and marketing and hospitality and tourism. Several staffing agencies will also have booths at the fair.

Several of the employers also participated in CFCC’s Engineering, Vocational and Technology Expo in early March, which this year drew 27 companies: an almost 50 percent increase over  the prior year’s expo. Adams described the March event as primarily educational – giving vocational and technical students exposure to companies that might be looking for employees in their fields.

“Some of the companies were hiring then, but [Wednesday’s] fair is straight-up getting jobs,” she said, adding that both full-time and part-time positions are available.

Adams said she is expecting a “great turnout” Wednesday: the Facebook post has been shared 187 times and more than 22,000 people have seen it.  

The job fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to the public. A full list of participating companies can be seen here.