Nonprofit agencies that offer employment assistance to Cherokee County residents are reporting increases in the number of people seeking their services.

The growth comes with the county's rising unemployment rate, which has increased for the last three months to the July total of 5.3 percent out of a 111,348 people person workforce.

Bill Plymale, job assistance ministry director with First Baptist Woodstock, said he's expecting to see a 10 percent increase in the number of people he will serve.

Last year, the ministry helped 711 people. Through July of this year, the ministry already has seen 466 people.

"We are looking at seeing over 800 people this year," Plymale said. "People are unemployed. That's why they are coming to see me."

The church's ministry connects job seekers with companies that post job openings, provides professional employment counseling and aid in how and where to look for employment.

At MUST Cherokee, employment coordinator Beth Ray said she's expecting a rise in the number of people coming into its Canton office for employment assistance.

So far this month, the office has received 28 requests for employment help, which is up from the 18 people who came through in July.

Between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008, MUST aided 104 people in finding employment.

Mrs. Ray said there are various factors contributing to the rise.

With the school year beginning, parents who stayed at home during the summer are deciding to go back into the workforce, she said.

"Also, people have not searched for jobs during the summer," she said.

The recent slowdown in residential development has led construction workers to come into MUST offices for help as well.

Mrs. Ray said the people who enter her office mainly need help with updating their skills. For example, she said, the center recently helped a construction supervisor learn computer skills.

MUST is able to handle the increasing caseloads, Mrs. Ray said, adding she's not optimistic about the economy and expects the number of job-seekers to rise.

"There's no short-term solution," she said of the economic downturn.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce's fourth annual Business and Job Expo earlier this month attracted about 800 people.

This year's event also featured resume critiquing, how-to shops and tips on how to keep employment, according to Stefanie Gibbons, programs manager with the chamber.

Last year, the chamber conducted its job expo and business expo separately. About 200 people turned out for last May's job expo, and between 400 and 500 people showed up to last year's business expo.

Mrs. Gibbons classified this month's event as a "huge success," adding that most people were there to attend the networking and resume critiquing workshops.

The event's focus on local companies makes people aware of the opportunity of having a quality job close to home, she said.

kdixon@cherokeetribune.com

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