LAKE WORTH — Local manufacturers will be eager to find qualified job candidates at the Manufacturing Job Fair on Friday, Oct. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Palm Beach State College’s Public Safety Conference Center (PSD 108) on the Lake Worth campus, 4200 Congress Ave. Open to the public, this free hiring event will give priority entry to veterans (with military ID) from 9 to 9:30 a.m.

All attendees are encouraged to register with EmployFlorida.com prior to the job fair, which will speed entry at the fair, and to bring copies of their résumé. (On the website, click “Sign In” and select Option 3.)

Co-sponsored by CareerSource Palm Beach County and the South Florida Manufacturers Association, the job fair will bring together 20 hiring manufacturers looking to fill a wide range of positions, from entry-level to management, that encompass all areas of manufacturing, from product production to rapid prototyping, design engineering, quality assurance, administration and technical sales.

South Florida is growing quickly into a manufacturing hub. According to CareerSource Palm Beach County, there is a significant shortage of skilled workers in certain types of manufacturing. Currently in the county, there are over 800 manufacturers employing 19,900 workers with average annual earnings of $41,541.

Palm Beach State works closely with local manufacturers to develop programs that deliver the targeted skills industry needs. At the fair, attendees will be able to learn about PBSC programs in various industrial trades and advanced manufacturing areas, including in welding, machining, engineering technology, mechatronics, lean manufacturing, rapid prototyping, AutoCAD, NCCER certifications and more.

Employers interested in exhibiting at this job fair should contact Victory Asher at vasher@careersourcepbc.com or call 561-340-1060, x2491 (office) or 561-313-7447 (cell); or Allen Brake at abrake@careersourcepbc.com or 561-340-1060 x2491.