City to host youth job fair May 3
By Kevin Milliken, La Prensa Correspondent

March 21, 2014: Toledo city government and business leaders are joining forces to offer the region’s teens a Summer Youth Job Fair on Saturday, May 3, 2014, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the SeaGate Convention Centre.

Rosalinda Contréraz-Harris, interim director of the city’s Youth Commission, stated at least 20 companies have committed to the job fair, including McDonalds restaurants and Toledo Changer. Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins stated the Toledo area’s youth unemployment rate is about 17 percent, which is roughly double the county’s overall jobless rate.

This is the third straight year the mayor’s office has sponsored such an event.

“You learn by trial-and-error, and this year we’re hoping to get even more employers,” said Ms. Contréraz-Harris. “We’re also having more workshops prior to the job fair than we’ve done in previous years.”

Topics for those workshops, to be held at Toledo-Lucas County Public Library branches, will include résumé-writing, how to keep a job, and how to conduct a successful job interview.

“A lot of times we don’t give kids credit for what they do know, their common sense,” said Ms. Contréraz-Harris. “Just like any adult, though, the classes remind them of what’s important, how to behave, what questions to ask. As any adult knows, they get nervous and this will help them stay organized and focused.”

Last year, more than 2,000 young people attended the summer job fair and met potential employers, learned about summer job opportunities, and applied for available openings. A similar crowd of young people is expected to show up this year as well.

“It’s been very successful as far as getting the youth to attend,” said Ms. Contréraz-Harris. “It’s hard to get feedback, however, so it’s hard to track how many actually got hired. We’ve had as many as 27 employers—and some are hiring for multiple stores.”

For example, according to John Harris, owner of 9 restaurants, ‘McDonald’s human resources officials will be filling positions at nine of its local restaurants.’  Mr. Harris was with his wife at the press conference Friday and explained how McDonalds was solidly behind the mayor in such hiring practices.
 

Subway will be seeking employees for 15 locations. ProMedica also will be hiring for multiple positions and locations. Some of the employers will be seeking workers ages 18 and over for certain jobs, such as apprenticeship programs.

Summer employment gives teens a chance to develop business skills, find positive outlets for their creativity and energy, and begin building a resume to help prepare them for the adult work-world.

“They usually come dressed to impress. We ask that they show up, resume in hand,” said Ms. Contréraz-Harris. “If they don’t have one, we ask that they come to one of the classes. If not, they need to try to find somebody to help them. Everybody is competing (for jobs), so they need to come with their wits about them.”

Employers unable to offer jobs are asked to consider internship or volunteer opportunities, or donations to the city’s youth commission to assist with programming. Businesses interested in participating are asked to call the Toledo Youth Commission at 419.245.1417 for more information.

The May 3^rd Summer Youth Job Fair is open to youth ages 16-21 years old. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required. Teens are encouraged to dress professionally while meeting with job employers and in follow-up interviews. Young people can register for the event at the following online link:

On the Internet:  www.toledochamber.com
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/teen-job-fair-2014-tickets-10872697531?aff=es2&rank=1&sid=4b766c7ab3ad11e386ca12313b002034
 

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Revised: 03/25/14 19:16:57 -0800.