'Challenging time': Mitchell International Airport hosts first job fair in 15 years

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Hundreds of job opportunities were available at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.

The airport hosted a job fair with a couple dozen airlines and other companies Tuesday, June 15.

Airport officials say about 700 people signed up for this job fair, and it's the first one they've had in about 15 years.

Harold Mester, director of public affairs and marketing, said the COVID pandemic made history in commercial air travel -- creating quite the challenging year.

"Our traveling was down about 98% at one point last year. The workforce shrunk dramatically and now we have to ramp back up because summer travel is getting quite busy again," he said.

He added that a lot of their tenants and service providers were forced to reduce staff. Now the airport, and many other companies, are on the rebound.

"I think it's great so that you can get out, meet people, see people face to face as opposed to everything just being on the computer," said Kenosha resident Aleshia Stargell.

In waves, people lined up to meet potential employers.

Several industries were representing, from the county level to public industry.

"A lot of these people are offering really good jobs and, especially right now, with people coming out of the pandemic trying to find something with a good opportunity - there's a lot of good companies down here," said West Allis resident AJ Steinbacher.

The job fairs goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 15. For more information, click here.