AUBURN HILLS — Oakland County’s job fair, “Oakland Job Hub 2012: Where Oakland Employers Meet Southeast Michigan Job Seekers,” now has more than 25 employers scheduled to participate in the Thursday, Feb. 23 event at Oakland University.

Laurie Johnson, Auburn Hills’ economic development coordinator, said the Job Hub, first held in 2011, has again attracted an impressive roster of employers with immediate job openings in technology, engineering, business and other skilled areas.

“We are very pleased with employer interest in Oakland Job Hub 2012 thus far and all indications are that we will have another successful event where companies are presented with eager and qualified candidates who want to continue their careers in Southeast Michigan,” Johnson said.

Following are just some of the companies now registered for the 2012 Job Hub: AXA Equitable, Design Systems, Harman, Hewlett Packard, HiredMyWay.com, ImageSoft,  iDashboards, PGK Engineering.

The positions employers are seeking to fill are varied and include software engineer, network engineer, Java developer, business analyst, controls engineer, field service engineer, machine operator, skilled trades, project manager, customer service rep and mechanical engineer.

In addition to Auburn Hills, participating communities include Rochester, Rochester Hills, Madison Heights, Southfield, Troy, Farmington Hills and Novi, as well as Oakland County Michigan Works, Oakland Community College, Lawrence Technological University and host sponsor, Oakland University.

Oakland Job Hub 2012 employer participants do not need to be based in these cities; nor do career fair participants. Participating companies must have immediate full-time job openings to fill in Southeast Michigan and are required to staff a table for the duration of the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is a $125 charge for employers to participate but no charge for job applicants.

There is still time to participate in the Oakland Job Hub 2012. Pre-registration for interested companies is required and registration information for both employers and employees can be found at www.mijobhub.com. Staffing companies may not participate in the Job Hub unless they have verification of a large customer contract that begins in the immediate future and requires placement of at least one year. Job seekers should register by Feb. 16.

Rochelle Freeman, Business Development Manager for the City of Southfield, says participating cities have rallied to support the Job Hub.

“The need for skilled workers, engineers and technical specialists is strong throughout the region,” Freeman said. “In our role as economic development professionals, we want to ensure our clients — current and prospective businesses — that we can help serve their needs from an employment perspective when they are part of our communities.”

The event will be held in the Oakland University Student Center, 2200 N. Squirrel Road, Rochester. OU is not in session the week of 2/20 so ample parking is available on campus.

There is a $125 non-refundable registration fee for employers, who must have immediate full-time job openings to fill in Southeast Michigan. Register online at www.mijobhub.com.

There is no fee for candidates to attend but they should register at www.mijobhub.com by Feb. 16. Please dress professionally.