Firms and government agencies are hiring.

That was the indication during a job fair held jointly in Nesquehoning by the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp. and the Pennsylvania CareerLink on Thursday.

Kyie Adams-Weiss, senior vice president of the Carbon Chamber, said 26 potential employers participated in the job fair. They ranged from health care firms, education centers, government agencies and a trucking company.

But only a handful of job seekers attended the event, which was marred by periodic rain showers.

Angela Fazio, CareerLink program supervisor, said job candidates had two avenues for seeking employment. They could talk to representatives from the various on-site entities and be hired on-the-spot or arrange for an interview. Or they can apply through CareerLink via the website.

Adams-Weiss said this is the third year the Chamber conducted the job fair. It’s been so successful in the past that this year there were two such events; the first was held in April.

She anticipates there will be two job fairs held again next year.

Job hunters were also lured with many specialty advertising handouts, such as pens, tote bags and note pads.

Just some of the firms present included Bayada Pediatrics, Estes Trucking Company of Lehighton, Lehigh Carbon Community College, the Army National Guard, Pa. Department of Corrections, the Inn of Jim Thorpe and Broadway Grille, BEFSA Zinc of Palmerton, BHA and the Liquor Control Enforcement branch of the Pa. State Police.

JoLynn Shelton, recruiting manager for Bayada, said her firm was seeking workers for numerous positions including home health aides, LPNs and registered nurses. “We cover Schuylkill and Carbon counties,” she said.

Jason Somers, a lieutenant with the Pa. Department of Corrections, said he was looking for applicants mainly for the position of officers, medical RNs, LPNs and psychological staff members.

Karen Bly, manager of the Broadway Grille, and Dennis Trury, representing the Inn of Jim Thorpe, said they were looking to hire restaurant workers, line cooks, housekeepers and possibly individuals in other positions.

“We’re always looking for drivers and dock workers,” said Roger Sherer, terminal manager of the Estes Logistics Trucking Company of Mahoning Township.

BHA, which covers local school district with specialized services, is looking for numerous workers.

“We can usually find a position for anybody,” said Alyssa Spotts, director of human resources.

She said needed are teaching staff, special ed workers, regular teachers, classroom staff, therapists and maintenance personnel.

Nancy Fine-McCullough, vocational rehabilitation counselor for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Labor and Industry, said her agency’s function is “to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities to secure and maintain employment and independence.”

She said her agency also helps people who are currently employed and need services to maintain that employment. “Some individuals come to us for job retention services,” she said.

The representative for the Liquor Control Enforcement said to get employment with her agency, you must be age 20 to apply and 21 to graduate from the Pa. State Police Academy. She said the Pa. Liquor Control Board is now under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Police and to be hired must complete testing and 16 weeks of training.

“You must pass all the exams when you apply to get to the State Police Academy,” she said.

The National Guards were represented by Staff Sergeant Emily Truskowsky of the Lehighton Armory, who has been in the Guards for 14 years, including a deployment to Iraq and Kuwait.

“We’re recruiting anybody interested in the military,” she said, adding that she anticipates making the Guard a career.