OKMULGEE, Okla. – Muscogee (Creek) Nation Departments partnered together to bring job opportunities to the Okmulgee area by hosting a job fair at the Mvskoke Dome on May 24.
The collaborating departments included the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Employment and Training, the Reintegration Program and Muscogee Nation Business Enterprise and Transit.
MCN Transit provided transportation from the Tulsa and Muskogee areas for those interested in attending the event.
MNBE assisted participants with resume building.
Organizations like Walmart, Home Depot, Paccar Winch, Bama Pie, Central Technology Center, and Green Country Technology Center were featured at the fair. College of Muscogee Nation, and other MCN Departments and businesses brought information as well, and some even hosted on-site interviews.
According to the MCN Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Coordinator Tacia Berryhill, employment is one of the greatest needs amongst her clients along with transportation.
Being a veteran herself, Berryhill understands the struggle of many veterans getting back out into the workfield.
“Being a veteran, you don’t want anybody to know you’re falling on hard times,” Berryhill said. “You’re supposed to endure what you need to do and figure it out on your own.”
Case Manager Kaylea Berry said that getting veterans in a financially stable situation and to be able to sustain that is the goal.
Also a veteran, Berry agrees that it helps to make that connection to those in need who do not want to ask for help.
“It helps to bring that camaraderie,” Berry siad.
MCN Employment and Training Workforce Development Coordinator Gerrel “Coach” Thomas assisted with the job fair to help the event run accordingly.
“There is a great need for employment,” he said.
Thomas regularly helps 50 plus citizens weekly with proper job placement and preparation.
According to Thomas, events like job fairs can expedite the process by bringing all components under one roof.
MCN Reintegration Outreach Specialist Mark Harjo said the direct contact does help in speeding up the process.
Many of the Reintegration Program clients are coming out of incarceration, and deal with employment obstacles like criminal background histories. With the fiber optic training course, many have been able to find employment security.
Unemployment rates are currently considered to be in a stable condition according to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.
The commission reported the number of initial unemployment claims totaled 1,426 on May 13. This was a decrease of 71 claims from the previous week’s total of 1,497. Continued claims totaled 10,104, a decrease of 109 from the previous week’s total of 10,213.
For more information on employment, call 918-732-7600 to be directed to any of the aforementioned MCN departments.