Airport Job Fair Attracts Almost 200 People

Sept. 28, 2023 - CLT’s Airport Job Fair drew nearly 200 hopeful job applicants to Urban League of Central Carolinas on Sept. 23.

The Aviation Department’s decision to host the job fair at Urban League of Central Carolinas was part of a targeted approach to reach more people in the community. The Aviation Department operates Charlotte Douglas International Airport for the City of Charlotte.

Urban League of Central Carolinas is a non-profit agency that offers services to help empower the community, create financial stability and promote social justice. “What’s beneficial to us is the community is getting access to so many opportunities with the job fair,” Urban League of Central Carolinas President and CEO Robyn Lake Hamilton said.

During the three-hour event, job seekers had the opportunity to learn about and meet with representatives from 20 different employers. There also were opportunities for interviews onsite and access to a computer lab where job seekers could apply for open job opportunities.

“It’s just amazing to see all the diverse opportunities available and the diversity of people attending the job fair. It means a lot to us to have this opportunity,” Hamilton said.

Along with the City of Charlotte and Aviation Department, other organizations present were Absolute Cleaning & Restoration, ACT’s, American Airlines, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Charlotte Area Transit System, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, Denard Enterprises, FEAM Aero, HMSHost, Jetstream, Paradies Lagardère, Prospect, PSA Airlines, Reef Parking, Sodexo, Transportation Security Administration, Urban League and Whitman May Enterprises.

Positions were available from entry level  to managerial. “I brought my son because he just got out of high school,” said Ron Johnson, who currently works with Jetstream at the Airport. He was not looking for a new position, but wanted his son to learn about the different job opportunities available around the Airport. “I just want to be able to learn and grow,” Ron Johnson Jr. said. “It’s been nice hearing everybody’s stories about the work they do.”

People of all ages, work experience and from all walks of life attended the Airport Job Fair. Jennifer Cattarin of Fort Mill said she has spent the last 17 years as a stay-at-home mom and came to learn about opportunities in customer service with the airlines. “I love working with people, and I love the hustle and bustle of the Airport,” Cattarin said.

While job seekers left with a lot of information, potential opportunities and even a few free giveaway items, employers who attended got to meet with many people and gather resumes and information from applicants. “We’ve talked to prospective applicants from a variety of different services, ranging from IT workers to drivers, to administrative staff,” said Senior Human Resources Generalist Alban Burney of CATS.

About halfway through the job fair, Burney estimated he had met 22 people. “Whether we talk to 20 or 200 people it’s a great effort,” he said.

To learn more about Airport job opportunities visit https://www.cltairport.com/careers/.