November MoCann meetups feature open job fair
MoCannTrade is preparing for their November meetups to offer something different: cannabis job fairs. If you’re considering a job in the industry, these meetups welcome you to meet facility license applicants and service providers who are preparing to hire.
November 11
University Plaza Hotel, Springfield5:30-8:30 p.m.November 12Black on Burlington, Kansas City5:30-8:30 p.m.November 13Cortex Innovation Hall, St. Louis5:30-8:30 p.m.
“The job fair idea really came from member and industry feedback communicated as an opportunity area,” Andrew Mullins, MoCannTrade executive director, said. “Our members, industry participants, and license applicants will need to staff up a via workforce immediately upon receiving license award. We weren’t aware of other opportunities for employees to meet license applicants and knew we could utilize our successful member meetups as a vehicle to bring our members and an interested workforce together. We are excited to intro this new energy to our membership … this is the first time we are opening our doors to the public to make that connection.”
License award anticipation has circulated through the state. Before December 31, 2019, the state will award facility licenses for testing, cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensary facilities. Upon licensure, those same facilities will need to hire their full staff to become operational before opening their doors to patients.
“The interest and enthusiasm for the Missouri MMJ industry has been huge! What an ideal way to provide value to those needing to staff up by turning our meetups into a job fair to bring these groups together. We also have these events sponsored by relevant service providers focused on recruiting, staffing, benefits, onboarding and staff training. It’s a trifecta of interest, a real need and industry expertise coming together to advance the Missouri industry. With this job fair connection between employer and employee, these prospective licensees can hit the ground running once they get awarded.”
There is a nominal $10 fee for those who wish to attend as a job seeker. Attendees can register to attend the meetups, taking place in Springfield, Kansas City, and St. Louis, through EventBrite or www.mocanntrade.org.
A variety of professional skill sets are in demand, from operational directors to trimmers to budtenders.
“Employers are looking for folks with a passion for and a cursory understanding of the industry,” Mullins said. “Walking in with some medical cannabis knowledge and having a desired role or specific focus in mind would be very helpful. People are welcome to represent all skills from trimmers to dispensary agents to directors of marketing or operations – every role level and type the facility will need to succeed.
“If you’re seeking employment in the industry in Missouri, this is a unique opportunity – a first-time opportunity – right before the industry kicks off. Our cannabis job fair works to successfully create that important first connection between employer and employee pre-industry.”
This is the first open job fair event that will have prospective licensed business owners meeting face to face with MMJ industry job seekers.
“MoCannTrade formed with the ultimate mission and goal of ensuring that the industry is implemented compliantly, safely, and successfully. We work very hard to provide ongoing value to our members and ensure our members and the industry as a whole are prepared to succeed. We want to see Missouri’s program be the standard by which all future MMJ programs will be judged … the best in the US. We’re already off to an excellent start.
At the November meetups, before the association opens the doors for the job fair and speed interviewing portion, the association will do their normal member’s only meetup with a program update from DHSS Medical Marijuana Division director Lyndall Fraker and industry update from Mullins. These updates are particularly timely, as licensure awards near.
//RACHAEL DUNN