News

Port St. Lucie, FL – The annual Port St. Lucie Community Job Fair, in partnership with CareerSource Research Coast (CSRC), was a resounding success, demonstrating the community’s commitment to strengthening the local workforce and supporting businesses. Held on Wednesday, August 21, at the MidFlorida Event Center, this year’s job fair broke attendance records, drawing in 818 job seekers—the largest turnout in the history of the annual event and an approximately 61% increase from the previous year. Nearly 70 businesses and community non-profit partners participated, offering a wide range of job opportunities and services for attendees.

In the weeks leading up to the event, CSRC provided a series of Employment Success workshops aimed at helping attendees prepare for the job fair. These workshops covered essential topics such as soft skills, resume building, interview preparation, and more. Through these initiatives, CSRC ensured that job seekers had the tools and knowledge necessary to make a strong impression on potential employers, enhancing their chances for success.

This year’s job fair also introduced an innovative partnership with GraceWay Village, which provided articles of clothing from their boutique through their “Dress for Success” initiative. The collaboration empowered job seekers to present themselves confidently to potential employers. GraceWay Village reported that 25 individuals requested clothing assistance in preparation for the job fair, ensuring they made a positive first impression during their interviews.

The surge in job seeker attendance is reflective of the rising unemployment rate, which has recently climbed to 4.2% in the tri-county region. Brian Bauer, President/CEO of CareerSource Research Coast, emphasized the importance of the event during these challenging times:

“The spike in unemployment underscores the critical need for events like this job fair. The record attendance we saw speaks to the challenges many in our community are facing, but it also highlights the resilience of our local workforce. We’re proud to connect businesses with the talent they need and to help job seekers get back on their feet.”

Mayor Shannon Martin of Port St. Lucie also praised the city’s role in supporting the job fair and emphasized its importance for the local economy:

“The City of Port St. Lucie is committed to ensuring that not only are our staff positions filled with qualified candidates, but that local businesses have the resources they need to thrive. This job fair is a key outlet in helping our business community stay strong while supporting the career aspirations of our residents.”

The Port St. Lucie Community Job Fair has become a cornerstone event for the region, bringing together businesses, job seekers, and community partners in a unified effort to build a stronger workforce and a more prosperous future. CSRC looks forward to continuing these collaborations and helping to further strengthen the economic vitality of the region.