LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
They began lining up for the job fair at the Rio at 4:45 a.m. By 2 p.m., job seekers were turned away.
Caesar's Entertainment, hosting the job fair, said the number of applicants exceeded the maximum occupancy.
Just a few days into the new year, it's clear that although new jobs are being added, there aren't enough for all the unemployed.
Wednesday's job fair at the Rio intended to fill 3,000 positions at several casinos. More than 7,000 showed up.
"I come with a resume, I tried to look nice and having a good attitude," said Paula Jordan, one job seeker. "I've applied a lot of places, and I still can't seem to find a job that I desire or any job at all."
There's stiff competition because companies have many candidates to pick from. Bally's Technologies is hiring 50 people. It doesn't have to compromise as it looks for software engineers and computer programmers.
"We make slot machines and computer systems all over the world," said Mike Trask of Bally's Technologies. "We are looking for high-tech employees that can build the next generation of slot machines."
There's also reason to be hopeful. UNLV's Center for Business and Economics is making promising projections for the coming months.
"This is a year in which we expect to see growing employment in the state," said Stephen Brown, Ph.D.
Brown said there will be growth in the medical field, retail and hospitality. He also estimated 10,000 to 15,000 jobs could be added in southern Nevada. That pales in comparison to the 172,000 Nevadans looking for work.
"We need to see, not only growth in our local economy to create jobs, but we need to see growth in the economy throughout the West so we have more visitors," said Brown.
Copyright FOX5 News 2012. All rights reserved.
All
content ©Copyright 2000 - 2012, KVVU, Las Vegas, NV.
(A Meredith Corporation Station) and WorldNow. All rights
reserved.
