A job fair primarily for high school students will be held at Homer High School on Friday, March 28, providing employers a chance to connect with students from 1:45 to 3:45 p.m. and the wider community from 4 to 5 p.m.

Homer High School counselor Paul Story said in an interview Friday that the idea came from conversations he’s had over the years with local business owners who were struggling to find staff for both seasonal and long-term positions within the community.

Story said high school students have been preparing with the Homer Job Center, in advance of the job fair.

“Basically everyone, I mean 90-plus percent of the students here, are going to get a little bit of an introduction on how to fill out a generic job application, how to present yourself to employers, that kind of thing,” said Story. “The goal is everyone is going to have some copies of that generic job application and be able to leave it with prospective employers for follow-up.”

While Story recognized some students already have summer work lined up, he urged them not to count themselves out of the opportunities presented at the job fair.

“I was telling some of the juniors and seniors, if you have a job, money still talks,” he said. “If you see a job that’s paying significantly more than that’s your choice.”

Story said no business is too small for the event – even if you’re looking to hire just one employee.

“I really want to get this event out to employers because we’ve had so many in the last few years have trouble finding people,” Story said. “To me, nobody is too small. If you need one person, show up. You just might make that connection.”

Employers can register online via Google form until March 14. There is no cost to participate. If you are unable to be at the event in person, Story noted that the registration form has an option to provide information on open positions, allowing the Homer Chamber of Commerce to include your information at their table at the fair.

The job fair will be open to the public from 4 to 5 p.m. but otherwise exclusively for Homer High and Homer Flex students to connect with employers.

The fair is a partnership between Homer High School, Homer Marine Trades Association, Homer Chamber of Commerce, and the Homer Job Center.

Reach reporter Chloe Pleznac at chloe.pleznac@homernews.com.