Hundreds Expected to Attend Walmart Job Fair Friday

Job seekers started showing up before 7:00am Friday, a full three hours before the job fair for a new Walmart Return Center was scheduled to start.

Temperatures in the mid to lower 20's didn't keep some people from looking to apply for one of the expected 500 jobs that will be available.

The Walmart facility in Macon, Georgia is closing and will be moved to a location in Spartanburg County off Blackstock Road.

Matt Wofford - who has been out of work for two months - told News Channel 7 Consumer Advocate Heather Sullivan that "there's just no jobs out there" for a candidate like him who has a college degree, plus work and managerial experience.

Michelle Bowman says she was laid off from her job on January 16 and searching for work has been a challenge. She says her background has been in automotive and logistics work.

Ernest Smith says he showed up three hours before the start of the fair after seeing 500 people line up outside the Bi-Lo Center earlier this week to apply for seasonal jobs with the Greenville Drive minor league baseball team.

Exel Logistics will employ workers at the facility and representatives will be at the job fair today and Saturday morning. It's being held at the Spartanburg Community College Tyger River Campus at 1875 East Main Street in Duncan. The hours are from 10:00am-7:00pm on Friday and on Saturday from 10:00am-5:00pm.

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Applicants are advised to dress neatly and bring their resume. If you have filled out an application for a position at the One-Stop Job Centers you don't have to attend the job fair.

Here's what you need to be considered for a position:

Module Operator

· Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED. Basic working knowledge of computers. Ability to read, understand and follow instructions. Attention to detail. Ability to follow all safety guidelines and procedures. Ability to keep up with production in a conveyor environment.

· Benefits: Full benefits offered after 3 months including medical, dental, vision, LTD, STD. Vacation after 6 months.

· Job Requirements: Must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift up to 50 lbs.

· This is a tobacco-free facility. Must pass basic math, matching and job-fit tests. Must pass criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen. 10-hour shifts. Weekly pay.

Unemployment in Spartanburg County rose 49% from the start of 2008 until the end of the year. January unemployment was 6.3% in the county according to the S.C. Employment Security Commission. That number grew to 9.4% in December with over 4.500 more unemployed workers in Spartanburg County compared to one year ago.

You can read our earlier story on the Walmart Return Center by clicking here

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