A job fair organized for recently laid-off Freightliner workers will be held Friday, starting at 9 a.m. and continuing until noon. It will be at the former J.C. Penney’s building in the West End Plaza, 1935 Jake Alexander Blvd. W.

The event, originally planned for Jan. 22, was rescheduled because of last week’s snowstorm.

This week it’s full speed ahead, with more than 20 companies committed to participate in the job fair. A number of other organizations such as the United Way will also be present to help the hundreds laid off earlier this month at the Cleveland Daimler plant. The company attributed the layoffs to a decline in business.

A wide range of jobs will be available during Friday’s job fair, according to RowanWORKS Economic Development Director Robert Van Geons. Some are manufacturing or production jobs, and others are office jobs, Van Geons said. He estimated hundreds of jobs would be available.

Job seekers aren’t required to pre-register; however, those who register on RowanCares.com will receive email updates after the job fair if a business is looking for employees, Van Geons said. RowanCares.com is also the central location Van Geons suggested for information about Friday’s job fair.

Although the job fair is intended for the laid-off Daimler employees, Van Geons said a spouse of a former employee or others would be allowed to participate.

Friday’s job fair was organized by Rowan County government, RowanWORKS Economic Development, The Centralina Workforce Development Board, Rowan County United Way, Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and NCWorks.