LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - A job fair is providing the next step for Hawker Beechcraft employees who will lose their jobs once the aircraft maker shuts down operations.

The Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce along with Clinton National Airport held a job fair for workers today at the Aerospace Education Center.

Joey Dean with the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce said 18 area employers looking to hire participated in the job fair.

"We will work with companies if they're laying people off to have job fairs for them," he said. "We tried to get these people back to work as soon as possible and keep that talent here. Keep that workforce here and keep these people working."

Dean said they had over 150 Hawker Beechcraft employees attend today's job fair, that they hope to match them with a business that suits their jobs skills.