Partnership of local agencies prepared job seekers for entry-level positions
Some 350 job seekers attended the job fair.
A job fair hosted by an employment coalition comprised of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM), Guest House, WCS Parsons House and Simple Steps LLC connected 350 job seekers to Milwaukee-area employers this week at the HACM Community Services Building.
More than 30 Milwaukee area employers including the Milwaukee County Zoo, TCF Bank, Home Depot and others attended the job fair looking to fill immediate openings in primarily entry level positions.
“The Housing Authority and our partner organizations have worked together to make today’s job fair a success,” said HACM Executive Director Tony Pérez. “By connecting job seekers and employers, we can make a direct impact in lives of Milwaukee residents.”
The job fair was open to the public. However, many job seekers sought additional preparation for this job fair by attending an innovative job-readiness course from the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board in partnership with the Housing Authority, Guest House and WCS Parsons House. The class included offering assistance with interview preparation, résumé writing and basic job-seeking skills.
“By attending the job readiness class, attendees were able to go into today’s job fair with the necessary confidence to talk to employers about their skill set,” said HACM Resident Services Manager Maria Rodriguez. “The class helped people who have been unemployed for more than six months put their employment gaps or criminal history in context, helping to break the cycle of poverty and joblessness.
The Housing Authority aims to help all job-seekers by giving them the right tools for success.”
The impact the job readiness course had on job-seekers was noticed by employers as well.
“Job-seekers were professional and prepared,” said Alicia Powell, who was representing Assurance Wireless. “I will certainly be hiring as a result of today’s job fair.”
Before leaving the event, many job seekers felt optimistic about the connections they had made with employers.
“I thought the event had a lot of positive energy,” said Carl Davis, a job fair attendee. “The employers had open positions, and I feel like I am going to get a job.”
The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee provides affordable housing options to more than 10,000 Milwaukee families.
In addition to housing, the Housing Authority works with families to achieve self-sufficiency through economic, health and social programs.