Richmond catches up

[peternap]

Richmond is always 6 months behind the rest of the world. They've been claiming the credit crisis isn't bad here. Looks like they just caught up with the rest of the country.


RICHMOND, VA (NBC12) - U.S. jobless claims hit their highest point since 9-11 last week. According to Virginia officials, the Richmond area lost 2,400 jobs last month.

One indication of just how bad the economy is, might be how many people show up at a job fair. This was the fifth year for this fair that caters mostly to veterans and it was packed.

As many as 1,500 people jammed inside one of the metal building at the Richmond Raceway for the annual Veterans Day Career Fair.

Job seekers brought resumes to hand out. Employers at booths met face to face with future employees, many of whom filled out applications.
   
According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the last year, even with layoffs, the Richmond area gained government jobs and jobs in education and health. But, jobs in the information sector and manufacturing have declined.

Hopewell resident Russell Jones has been looking for a job since being laid off earlier this year. Jones says, "They have right many representatives out here and seems like different, lot of technical positions."

Recruiter Terri Gretka says, "I think with a lot of  layoffs statewide pending now we've had several people representing companies that we know people being laid off that are here today."

Many of the firms at the job fair were not hiring.