PLAINS TWP. - Dave Kopec has struggled to find employment since he lost his job nearly two years ago.
Mr. Kopec, a 46-year-old single father of two who served in the Army for 13 years, looked for career opportunities Wednesday at job fair held for veterans and military spouses at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The fair, called "Hiring Our Heroes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre," was hosted by the U.S Chamber of Commerce's National Chamber Foundation and local chambers from throughout the area.
Mr. Kopec last worked as a goldsmith but lost his job when Van Scoy Diamond Center in Scranton closed in 2011. Finding a job in his field in the area has been difficult, he said. He found at least three possibilities Wednesday, but typical openings pay low, he said.
"Jobs paying $8 or $9 an hour for a single father don't get you far," he said. "I've been doing little side jobs here and there occasionally and using what I have saved, which is almost gone."
Mr. Kopec's stops included Home Depot, which is hiring for its distribution center in Pittston Twp., and stores during the busy spring season, said Vonda Clausen, human resources employee.
In all, more than 50 employers participated in the job fair, offering hundreds of jobs locally and nationally, said Mari Potis, events director for the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.
Hazleton-based Intrepid Detective Agency, which employs uniformed security guards, was among the companies with job openings, said Eugene Perek, general manager. The company prefers to hire veterans, he said.
"We find that it is a very good match," Mr. Perek said. "They give their heart and soul to protect our freedom. A lot of those people are forgotten, and I think they should be given first preference."
Not all the employers who participated in the job fair had openings, however. Tobyhanna Army Depot in Monroe County did not have any immediate job openings, but the depot is always recruiting veterans for positions that become available, said human resources assistant Michelle Brown.
Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com