Job fair expected to draw thousands of people

Thousands of jobseekers are expected at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center in downtown El Paso Tuesday.

Southwest University is hosting its annual job fair from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More than 200 employers will be in attendance, all looking for potential employees.

This year, organizers expect 10,000 people will show up from El Paso, Juarez and Las Cruces regions.

Officials with Southwest University said there is a greater emphasis this year on helping transitioning soldiers who are getting ready to enter the workforce.

With thousands expected to attend, Victor Contreras showed up before the sun came up to get ahead of the crowds.

“I mostly have experience in retail and customer service. I’m trying to get anything in that kind of field and I already filled out a couple of online applications so I’m pretty sure I have a leg up,” Contreras said as he crossed his fingers.

Contreras is hoping to land a job at Costco.

In 2015, 500 people were hired as a result of the job fair.

Parking is available in the convention center parking garage for $7.