An award-winning partnership set a new record as 1,500 jobseekers attended the fourth annual “Better Skills, Better Jobs” career fair in Greenville, North Carolina on October 3, 2024. The event is a partnership between nonprofits, economic development organizations, and educational institutions which attracts high school students and adult jobseekers throughout Pitt County and surrounding areas.
“Big issues require big ideas, and big ideas require high level collaboration and partnership,” said event co-chair David Horn, director of strategic partnerships for the Greenville Eastern North Carolina Alliance. “An expanding roster of partners is one reason why the event has grown each year and is producing measurable results that are changing lives and filling the needs of our industries.”
Earlier this year, Boviet Solar, a solar technology company specializing in manufacturing of monocrystalline PV cells and solar modules, announced the selection of its first North American production facility in Greenville, Pitt County, North Carolina. This venture is set to create 908 new jobs and inject $294 million in capital investment into the community.
To kick off its hiring efforts, Boviet Solar participated in the Better Skills, Better Jobs career fair, which played a crucial role in connecting the company with potential candidates. This event underscores Boviet Solar's commitment to workforce development and highlights the importance of community collaboration in attracting talent as the company embarks on this exciting new chapter.
“This event allowed us to attract talented candidates crucial for the smooth operation of our new solar panel manufacturing plant,” said Valencia Brantley, human resources generalist for Boviet Solar. “It was also helpful being in front of high school students, as our future workforce, who were interested in learning more about the industry as being part of a larger effort to strengthen the renewable energy sector in the United States.”
This year’s record-breaking attendance included 484 high school students who learned about career opportunities and educational pathways and 1,016 adult jobseekers who were looking for new careers in the Greenville-Pitt County area. They had the opportunity to meet with 132 employers and educational resources, receive assistance with resume writing and interview prep, and have a professional headshot taken, all at no cost.
“With the event now in its fourth year it has achieved a reputation in the region for being much more than just a job fair. It is a true career fair that bridges the gap in awareness about job opportunities and the pathways to those opportunities,” explained Horn.
For Boviet Solar, this unique type of job fair allowed them to get in front of candidates who are looking for new career opportunities in their community while also connecting them with educational resources to help them obtain the training needed for certain positions.
“This event specifically emphasizes connecting local job seekers with employers who offer opportunities for upskilling and career development,” added Brantley. “It’s more likely to attract job seekers with specific skills aligned with the needs of high-growth industries such as solar energy, advanced manufacturing, and green technologies.”
Better Skills, Better Jobs 2024 was sponsored by Pitt Community College, John M. Belk Endowment, Greenville Eastern North Carolina Alliance, Pitt County Economic Development, Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce, and Inner Banks Media. Community partners include Pitt County Schools, Tradesformers, Greenville Utilities Commission, ECU Health, NCWorks, East Carolina University, NC Coastal Society for Human Resource Management, and Better Business Bureau of Eastern Carolinas.
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Contacto de prensa:
Maria Satira
Director of Marketing and Communications
Greenville Eastern North Carolina Alliance
satira@encalliance.com
252-414-2875
