‘Job Palooza’ becomes one of the biggest hiring events in the region

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Job Palooza welcomed thousands of people Thursday at the Enmarket Arena.

Over a hundred employers attended the event, all hiring in a range of positions.

Thousands now face unemployment with International Paper closing their doors at the end of the month.

WTOC spoke with William Olmstead, the talent acquisition and recruiter for colonial group in Savannah, he said they have 30-35 positions that are open and are actively being recruited for.

“Today I would say about half the employees, maybe more than that, maybe three quarters of the job seekers we have talked to are from international paper,” said Omstead.

Olmstead also told WTOC that many of the same skills IP workers possess are similar to those they need at Colonial Group.

The Director of Existing Industry at Savannah Economic Development told WTOC that this was the largest hiring event the area had ever seen, with 1,000 people in attendance just today.

“So, the idea of this event is that we are not only inviting those displaced workers from international paper obviously that was part of the momentum about bringing this event together but we wanted to serve the broader community and so we invited all employers to come, and we had over 200 express interests,” said Zachary Ott.

The Job Palooza will continue Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.