On February 17, 2026, a job fair was held by PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley to connect job seekers with potential employers across various industries in the Lehigh Valley. This highly successful event showcased a diverse group of participants, most of whom were actively seeking employment and open to receiving assistance. The insights gathered from this event now only reflect the demographics and needs of job seekers in the Lehigh Valley, but also provide valuable data for designing tailored support services through PA CareerLink®.

Event Overview

The job fair attracted 26 employers representing multiple business sectors, gathering a total of 186 participants. The event served as a platform for individuals seeking employment and for employers looking to fill open positions. Job seekers primarily had an interest in manufacturing/production, administrative/customer service work, warehouse jobs, or were open to any available work. Other industries represented included health care, construction, mechanical, education, and professional.

Participants primarily learned about the job fair through the PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley staff and through associated social media channels, including Meta and LinkedIn. This indicates a successful outreach strategy that effectively utilized both direct and digital engagement to inform potential job seekers about the event. 

Demographics of Participants

The demographic breakdown of attendees revealed important insights:

• Language Proficiency: 25% of participants were bilingual, indicating a diverse linguistic background that can be advantageous in various workplaces. Additionally, 3% spoke a second language other than English or Spanish, further contributing to the multicultural fabric of the attendee group and of the Lehigh Valley.
• Veteran Status: 10% of participants identified as veterans. At  PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley, it is important to us to cater to this demographic as they transition into civilian employment.
• Education Levels: The majority of attendees possessed some form of higher education:
  • 1 attendee did not finish High School
  • 19 attendees obtained a GED
  • 58 attendees obtained a Highschool Diploma
  • 35 attendees obtained some college and/or technical training
  • 21 attendees obtained an Associate’s Degree and/or a Technical Degree
  • 52 attendees obtained a Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Employment Status & Programming Engagement

The data collected revealed insights into the participants’ employment situations:

• 142 attendees reported being unemployed and in need of a job
• 31 participants indicated thay were collecting unemployment benefits
• 109 individuals were not enrolled in any programming offered by PA CareerLink®.

Interest in Support Services

Despite 109 job seekers not being enrolled in PA CareerLink® programs, a notable 67% of the participants expressed interest in additional support from PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley, specifically in areas such as:

• Career Planning
• Job Training
• Career Counseling

PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley strives to meet the substantial demand for services that can help job seekers navigate the challenges of searching for employment opportunities and career advancement.