Looking for a job or interested in changing careers? Now’s your chance.

Last month there were 203 jobs open within 10 miles of Albert Lea and 425 within 25 miles, according to minnesotaworks.net. Of those 425 jobs, 381 were full-time positions, and 44 were part-time. Those positions include everything from truck drivers and production workers to registered nurses, office clerks and janitors. The list goes on and on.

As Albert Lea and the surrounding area focus on filling these jobs, we wanted to let you know about four opportunities available out there:

• Tuesday: The Albert Lea Job & Career Fair will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at Northbridge Mall. Representatives from more than 35 businesses will have information available on open jobs at their companies. The event is sponsored by Hy-Vee, Northbridge Mall, Minnesota Workforce Center, Cedar Valley Services Inc. and the Tribune.

• April 21: The first of three lunch and learn workshops will take place from 11:30 to 2 p.m. at Wedgewood Cove in Albert Lea. The workshop is being held to discuss workforce shortage solutions after the SE MN Together workshops held earlier this year that identified challenges faced in filling the worker shortage gaps. The presenter at the first workshop is Susan Tulashi, employment and training specialist senior equal opportunity officer with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. People can register online or in person with the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. Cost to attend is $45.

• April 28: An event titled Career Exploration: Steam Ahead Building Your Future Workforce will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center. This event is designed to be a hands-on, career-exploring event for middle school students and other students looking at their future careers. Eight school districts are participating across Austin, Albert Lea and Owatonna.

• April 28: The Young Adult Job Fair will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at Albert Lea High School during parent-teacher conferences. At this event — which is sponsored by the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, Albert Lea Area Schools and Workforce Development Inc. — businesses will be able to set up booths and discuss employment opportunities with local high school students. Businesses looking to be involved are asked to contact the chamber by Friday.

It is evident by all of the events taking place that jobs are on the forefront of everyone’s minds. We encourage people both young and old who are considering a career or simply looking for a job to consider attending one of these events. These are also good opportunities for businesses to let people know of their openings and other information about their companies.