WEST ALLIS, WI (WTAQ) - About 2,000 job seekers attended a special job fair Thursday for manufacturing employment.

And it was not the normal meet and greet.

The state Department of Workforce Development put on the event at State Fair Park in West Allis – and job-seekers had to pre-register online, take a skills test, bring a polished resume, and submit to pre-screening interviews. And that was before they could get in the door.

Those who just showed up had to complete the entire process at a special booth before they could get in.

But once they entered, officials of 72 Milwaukee area manufacturers met with the job-seekers. And the companies had to prove that they actually had specific job openings before they set up their booths.

That wasn’t too hard – since many Wisconsin factories say they’re in dire need of skilled workers. State workforce development officials hope to learn in a few days how many jobs were filled as the result of Thursday’s event.