MOSES LAKE — The opportunity to meet 51 local employers and to learn about their hiring practices starts at 9 a.m., Thursday, at the Job and Career Fair.

The free event is open to the public.

The fair is held at Big Bend Community College’s Advanced Technologies Education Center, located at 7662 Chanute St., Moses Lake.

If work isn’t found, job seekers can still learn about important networking opportunities and leads, said Mary Shannon, Big Bend’s director of career advising and outreach/tech prep.

One can “find out what it takes to get the job you want,” Shannon commented.

This year, the number of workshops was increased while their time length decreased.

“There’s more to choose from and they’re real short sessions, so people can attend more of them,” she said.

Two session will help inform attendees about the Pre-Employment Training (PET) Program. The PET program is a consortium of local manufacturers providing special training for possible entry-level employees.

She recommended job seekers visit the college’s Web site at www.bigbend.edu/ to learn about tips to get the most out of the event.

The event offers education, information about training opportunities, and 23 workshops covering topics such as interviewing basics, building an effective resume, building your credit and writing a winning cover letter.

Several workshops are repeated throughout the day.

Also Thursday, the WorkSource Office moves its operations to the college.

“They provide individual assistance,” Shannon said. “That’s really the key.”

WorkSource personnel review resumes, helps job seekers complete job searches and applications and assists with mock job interviews.

The US Census Bureau attends the fair as well as the staffing agency Aerotek, which Genie is using to hire employees “to regrow their workforce,” she said.

She expects up to 2,000 people to attend the event.

For more information, visit www.bigbend.edu.