BELLEVILLE, Ont. (01/11/12) James Wilman (right) goes over his resume with Ken George of Proctor and Gamble. P & G was amoung the 40 buisnesses and social services with tables at the career fair. Photo by John Boldrick.
By John Boldrick
James Wilman is the epitome of a blue-collar worker. He has spent his life working physical jobs, never complaining. Now, he doesn’t have a job.
Up until about a year ago, Wilman was part of an emergency response team for The Miller Group, a company involved with jobs such as paving and construction.
Fast Forward to the present and things aren’t the same. Wilman is unemployed and his life has changed a lot.
“I had to give up my apartment. I had to move back into my dad’s house. It’s tough to go,” he said.
Wilman attended last week’s career fair, the second jointly hosted fair of the year, put on by the cities of Belleville and Quinte West. Previous fairs have seen crowds of over 1000 people looking for work. The fairs are also attended by over 30 local buisnesses and social services.
Wilman’s goal for the fair was simple: find a job and get his old life back. Everyday things that people may take for granted have become a struggle for him.
“I have to make sure I have gas in my jeep to get where I want to go and getting the money for that is hard to come by,” Wilman said.
It’s not just keeping his vehicle gassed up that has been a problem. Even if the fuel gauge says full, where can he even go?
“I don’t out very often. I don’t go and eat out; I just stay home and eat at home. I don’t go out for any entertainment- doesn’t go to the show or anything like that,” said Wilman.
A life of penny pinching and surviving off little money is a new one for Wilman. The jobs currently available don’t pay what he is used to.
“A lot of the jobs they advertise for is (for) minimum wage and I’m used to making $20 some odd dollars an hour and it’s going to be hard for me to get out of bed for minimum wage,” he said.
He didn’t always think it would be this way. When he was first laid off, Wilman thought that it was only a matter of time before he found a new job. He expected to be doing the same type of work he was used to.
“I have a lot of different qualities in trades and I didn’t expect it to be this long looking for a job,” he said.
Wilman’s focus has changed over the last year. He now knows that any job is the right one for him.
“Anything I can get my hands on,” he said, “I’m dedicated, I’m a loyal employee, I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty so I’m good to go. I can do almost anything they throw at me. I’m a quick learner, show me once and walk away and I’m good to go.”
Wilman may have to take whatever he can get. The job market is about to see an influx of people people in the coming months. Next year’s career fair may have a higher turnout than normal. With closures of local businesses Zeller’s and Exxon Mobil upcoming this spring, the area is likely to see a large increase in the number of job seekers.
Proctor and Gamble is a staple of Belleville’s factory scene. It makes and stores a variety of hygiene products. The company also employs 500 people, a number that will soon increase. P & G are looking to hire an additional 10 full time workers this year. They have previously hired 22 workers this year.
P & G HR technician Louise Hyatt said that the company is expecting to see a raise in the number of interested job seekers.
Shifting through all of the applications will be a long process. Hyatt says the company knows what it wants in potential employees.
“We look for, hopefully, some electro-mechanical skills, definitely some self-thinkers, self-learners, people that can work the equipment, problem solve, (help provide a) great team environment,” she said.
Mechanical skills, being a quick learner and being a good problem solver are just a few of the key skills employers look for.
Danielle Valliant, Resource Specialist at Meta Employment Services said anyone searching for a job should also be well versed in computers. In this modern age, computer skills have become increasingly important.
Meta Services, much like P & G, is also gearing up for a big new year. In addition to the Belleville business layoffs, CFB Trenton will also be cutting jobs. Hyatt expects some of the newly out of work people to come to Meta for help.
“I’m sure of it that we’ll see a bit more people soon,” she said.
In addition to helping people find jobs, Meta also offers other services. They have resume workshops, financial literacy classes and employment counseling services. So far this year, they have helped over 700 people, making it just one of the services available to help the unemployed.
Meta and others services of its kind help people who are qualified for work, but have trouble finding a job. What is available to those people who may not be as qualified to work?
Julie Jarvis is the coordinator for Quinte Adult Education, which serves the public school board. She said having your Grade 12 diploma is essential when hunting for a job.
“It’s the first line of filter for employers. There are very few that are accepting people that don’t have their Grade 12. The majority want a real Grade 12 diploma and not just a high school equivalency,” she said.
During Jarvis’s tenure with the organization, which dates back seven years, the number of adults continuing their education has risen dramatically.
“We were at about 1000 students and now we’re at 1900 over the time that I’ve been here,” she said, “Our enrollment went up 34% just last year.”
It’s not just young and middle aged adults going back to school to get their diploma. The program helps people of all ages.
“We have everything from 18 year olds to a 76 year old finishing their grade 12 diploma,” said Jarvis.
It all must seem fairly daunting to job seekers in Belleville. With a large number of unemployed people out there, it’s easy to see how someone would have a hard time and get down on their luck. Still, through all of his struggles, Wilman has found a way to at least keep his sense of humour. A dream job still exists out there for him.
“Winning the lotto,” Wilman said with a grin.