15th Annual Job Fair Draws Record Turnout and Signals Ongoing Demand for Workforce Solutions

The Greater Springfield Partnership welcomed 60 employers and nearly 400 job seekers to the 15th Annual Clark County Job Fair, held April 15, 2025. The venue once again reached full employer capacity, with a waiting list for businesses seeking to participate.

The demand from both job seekers and employers demonstrates a critical workforce trend: Clark County continues to experience strong business growth but faces persistent hiring challenges.

Job Seeker Engagement Exceeds Expectations

This year’s job fair marked a 56% increase in high school senior attendance over 2024. A total of 240 students participated in the morning session, meeting directly with employers in fields like advanced manufacturing, logistics, public service, education, food service, and healthcare.

These early-stage connections help strengthen Springfield’s long-term talent pipeline.
The afternoon session brought in 146 adult job seekers. Of those, 60.33% were unemployed, highlighting the job fair’s role in bridging workforce gaps and connecting residents with immediate opportunities. The remaining 39.67% were employed individuals exploring new roles or considering upskilling, which is a key signal that career mobility remains active across the region.

Employer Demand Outpaces Venue Capacity

For the second year in a row, the event reached its employer limit. Businesses from the manufacturing, healthcare, distribution, education, and hospitality sectors participated, underscoring strong and continued demand for qualified candidates across multiple industries.
OhioMeansJobs Clark County and the Greater Springfield Partnership coordinated the event to support both immediate hiring needs and broader workforce alignment goals.

“Workforce remains the top concern of local employers,” said Amy Donahoe, Director of Workforce Development at the Greater Springfield Partnership. “The job fair is one of several strategies we use to connect talent with opportunities and help businesses grow here.”

A Strong Pipeline Supports Business Investment

Hosting events that directly engage students, job seekers, and employers helps Springfield remain competitive. These strategies don’t just fill vacancies. They show investors and business leaders that Clark County is building the workforce needed to sustain and grow industries.

Ongoing collaboration between employers, education partners, and workforce organizations remains essential. As job fair attendance increases and employer demand remains strong, the Greater Springfield Partnership will continue to lead proactive efforts to align talent development with business needs.

Interested in learning how Springfield builds and strengthens its workforce pipeline? Explore workforce strategies that the Greater Springfield Partnership engages in to help support business retention and growth.