More than 500 young job seekers from across Suffolk attended a Youth Job Fair Wednesday evening in Hauppauge. 

The Suffolk County Department of Labor partnered with the Suffolk Legislature and IBEW Local 25 to bring in more than 50 employers for these job seekers fourteen and up.

"We have our youth getting employment for the summer. We have part-time, full-time, internships. We have blue collar, white collar,” said Sandra Alfano, Suffolk County Youth Services coordinator.

Many say it’s extremely difficult to find a job right now.

Lori Dekie, of Huntington, says experiences like this are vital for people like her son.

"It's so necessary in our community, especially with our young adults,” she said. “They need to be able to have access and exposure and to be given a chance."

IBEW Local 25 Membership Development Representative Tom Lawless says it’s vital for them to give young people the chance to learn about careers they may not know about, like in building trades.

"Everybody needs a shot,” he said. “There's some young people, they don't realize that the building trades are here and there's opportunities for these young kids to succeed in their future."

Suffolk Legislator Jason Richberg says it’s about connecting young job seekers with the endless opportunities available to them.

"Whether a state trooper, or you're doing, you know, engineering, or you're, you want to be a lifeguard,” he said. “There are multiple opportunities here for you to grow."

If you missed the job fair and are still looking for a job, contact Diane LaChapelle, with the Suffolk Department of Labor, Business Services at 631-853-6763.