Seeking opportunities, guaranteeing a future

link U.S. Air Force photo: Marc Calero

Patty Vaughn, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron Non-Appropriated Funds chief human resource officer, and Bob Weber, 27 SOFSS NAF resource assistant, speak to an interested employment prospect about openings at the regional Fall Job Fair held Nov. 5 at Eastern New Mexico University’s Greyhound Arena in Portales. Local military and civilian talent pools were presented with an abundance of local, regional, and national businesses ready to hire, some on the spot.

As part of the Public-Private, Private-Public Partnership initiative, and in conjunction with the local Regional Growth Management Office and other affiliates, a regional Fall Job Fair was held Nov. 5 at Eastern New Mexico University’s Greyhound Arena in Portales.

Local military and civilian talent pools were presented with an abundance of local, regional, and national businesses ready to hire, some on the spot.

“This is the second P4 job fair we are conducting this year,” said Raymond Mondragon, Eastern Plains Council of Governments Economic Development Government Affairs. “Earlier this spring, we enjoyed tremendous success by helping connect local job seekers with businesses yearning for their talent.”

Through the framework provided in the P4’s pairing of private and public entities, the efficiency that is produced stands to mutually benefit both sides.

“In the past, some bases would conduct their own job fairs which limited attendance to those who already had base access; and, consequently placed an artificial, but sometimes all too real, barrier to select businesses,” said Capt. Jesse Calland, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron operations officer. “This type of scenario did not benefit our job seekers.”

By holding the job fairs off base, a military job seeker is able to interact with more businesses, which improves their chances of landing a job.

“While potential employers experience an increase in foot traffic with both military and civilian prospects, everyone’s chances of getting hired also increases as a result of having these larger job hiring fairs,” said Calland.

One Cannon spouse seeking an opportunity from the various employers was Steven Baker.

“As a newly arrived spouse, the timing could not have been any better,” said Baker. “It is good to know that Cannon and the surrounding community are supportive of those seeking employment in a new area.”

The P-4 Partnership is comprised of the following: the City of Clovis, Curry County, Cannon Air Force Base the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce, Clovis Industrial Development Corporation, Clovis Committee of 50, the city of Portales, Roosevelt County, the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce and the Roosevelt County Community Development Corporation.

For additional information regarding P-4 Partnership, contact the Portales/Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce at 575-356-8541 or the Eastern Plains Council of Governments Economic Development Government Affairs at 575-762-7714.