Hundreds attend Employment and Training’s 25th Anniversary Career Fair

November 3, 2017

Thomas R. Throssell

Gila River Indian News

Hundreds of Gila River Indian Community members looking for a new job or interested in a career change, headed out to Employment & Training’s 25th Anniversary Career Fair held at the department’s courtyard on Oct. 27.

Numerous organizations hosted booths highlighting a variety of careers, from Gila River Health Care and the Gila River Fire Department, to Gila River Gaming Enterprises (GRGE) and Spectra Food Services and Hospitality.

The fair began with the Posting of Colors performed by the Pee Posh O’odham Veterans, and the national anthem sung by former Miss Tohono O’odham Jaylene Wood.

Following the anthem, Tim Terry sang a traditional O’otham song that described a battle fought long ago in South Mountain, where O’otham warriors went to battle knowing they were not going to win the fight.

Lt. Gov. Monica Antone went from booth to booth greeting local job hunters and vendors, before taking center stage where she talked about the important role local organizations held in employing Community members, and encouraged those looking for work to stop by each booth and ask questions.

Following Lt. Gov. Antone’s welcoming speech, presenters from the Gila River Police Department gave a K-9 demonstration, where a wiry malinois chased after a GRPD volunteer wearing a protective sleeve. The K-9 quickly and efficiently took out the volunteer to the cheers of the surrounding crowd.

Mike Miguel, Gila River Indian Community Utility Authority’s first GRIC Journeyman, gave a short presentation during the event, where he talked about his own personal journey from needing a good job, to acquiring an education, and having to spend long hours committed to his job, all while making sure he had enough time to be a family man and go to his son’s sports games.

Elisia Manuel, E & T Outreach Job Developer, said the event was to show Community members what job opportunities are available to them.

“What we wanted to do was bring different entities out here, whether it was construction or culinary, or a temporary service,” said Manuel. “So we have different entities out here representing different things, we have a bank here, we have different universities, schools, and colleges. The job fair is to really explore the opportunities of moving forward in their life,” she said.

Manuel added that if any Community members weren’t able to make the career fair, E & T will have a listing of all the vendors who participated. For the listing or to inquire about other career opportunities, contact E & T at (520) 562-3388.