A job fair hosted by the Teamsters Labor Management Cooperative Trust produced 198 applicants interested in working on Williams’ Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project. The two day public event held on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 in Harrisburg, Pa.

The Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project is projected to create approximately 400 new jobs for the Teamsters, including positions for commercial truck drivers. Applicants were given a complete overview of the project, including wages, hours and working conditions. The prospect of a high-earning career is why many came to the job fair.

“These are good, high-paying, quality jobs with insurance and benefits here in their home state,” said Michael LaBorde, the training director with the Teamsters National Pipeline Training Fund. “There’s a great sense of pride to come to a community like this, talk to people who are unemployed and have an opportunity for them to make these kinds of wages to better their lives.”

At least five job seekers who attended the job fair at the Crowne Plaza Harrisburg-Hershey in Harrisburg, Pa., have already been put to work at Atlantic Sunrise construction sites.

“It’s absolutely good. This is how our people feed their families. The more work we get in this area, the more people will prosper,” said Edgar H. Thompson, president of Teamsters Local 776 In Harrisburg.

Safety instruction was also addressed at the job fair. Applicants were advised on the training and qualifications necessary for the jobs they are applying for. Over 100 attendees have been enrolled in safety training classes and instructional courses on how to operate various vehicles, that will take place throughout October.

“The fact that the people come from the area, live in Pennsylvania, work in Pennsylvania, they are more apt to be more responsible that the work is done safely and of high quality because they live in the area too,” said Richard Stern, administrator with the Teamsters National Pipeline Training Fund.

The Atlantic Sunrise pipeline broke ground in September, and it is expected to be in full service by mid-2018. The project will run through 10 Pennsylvania counties: Columbia, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Clinton and Lycoming.