Meridian Mayor Percy Bland, left, meets with job seekers during a job fair earlier this month at the Meridian WIN Job Center.

    It wasn’t pumpkins; it wasn’t toys; but jobs that lay under the Christmas Tree in the Meridian WIN Job Center during the first week of November.

    With the Christmas Tree in center front, 1,567 job seekers filled the office on Highway 19 eager to apply for jobs for the holidays and beyond. All of this, in effort to help employers get a jump start on the holiday servicing season.

    At the job fair, 29 employers interviewed job applicants on the spot during this five-day event.

    “I proudly thank the 29 employers who participated in this holiday job fair,” said Nellie Satcher, branch director of the Meridian WIN Job Center. “We know jobs were offered, people were hired, and employers were pleased, and that was our goal,” Satcher said.

    The One Stop Center is located at 2000 Highway 19 North.

    “People of all walks of life and income levels can get help finding a job – whether it be retraining or simply advice on writing a resume or where employers post job openings to fill positions,” according to a job center press release.

    Training is available for those who are unemployed and career counselors are there to assist people who already have a job find a better job.

    “On any given day you will find people using the Resource Center; a designated area with computers where they can do online training to brush up on their computer skills, reading, and math skills or get other tutoring. They can even work toward their GED,” the press release states.

    “The job fair happens once a year but our resources are available five days a week for job seekers and businesses.”

    For more information on these services, contact Satcher at 601-553-9534.