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DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — It may have been the second time there was a Career Expo in Danville, but it meant so much more to many more people. There was nearly double the amount of vendors from last year to help hundreds who will soon be out of work.
Vermilion Advantage and Danville Area Community College are helping people connect with employers. President and CEO of Vermilion Advantage Mike Marron said there were more than 70 businesses participating in the expo.
“Almost every sector is represented this morning: healthcare, social services, manufacturing, agriculture. So, it’s kind of a broad spectrum.”
After the closing of Quaker Oats earlier this month, hundreds of employees were let go. One former employee, Darrin Maloney, said it’s been tough.
“Today was the best event so far that we’ve had to help support us,” he said.
Maloney was working with the company for more than 20 years. He said it’s still a challenge to find something equivalent to the job he had.
“If you wait until the very end, you may not find anything. But you don’t want to take the first thing either. It’s not going to pay what I’ve been making for the last 20 years.”
Quaker Oats’ former employees had a union meeting to accept a new severance package.
