Job fair offers opportunities
to workers hurt by layoffs

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By Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.com

More than 40 companies are expected to participate in a job fair at the Hawaii Convention Center next Saturday as part of the city Oahu Workforce Investment Board's program to battle the impact of the state's economic crisis.

Businesses, human resource volunteers, training schools social service agencies and employment specialists are being brought together by the city Department of Community Services in an effort being dubbed Operation Oahu Work Links.

Next Saturday's free event will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the third and fourth floors of the convention center.

To register and participate in the event, job seekers need to bring the originals and one copy of their notice of termination, unemployment eligibility letter, Social Security card, and either proof of citizenship or alien registration.

Prospective employees are asked to bring resumes to the event, which will feature on-site interviews for hundreds of jobs.

The fair will also feature training workshops on resume writing, interviewing, job searching and career counseling, as well as debt, stress and housing/rental assistance management, said Linda Gilchrist, chairwoman of the board.

Vouchers also will be offered that will allow those recently unemployed the chance to receive employment-related training, such as language or computer skills, from programs offered by some 40 providers including the University of Hawaii system, vocation training and business training schools.

"The goal is to be able to provide transition for people who are being laid off, to provide them linkages to job training," Mayor Jeremy Harris said.

Job seekers can call 523-4224 for more information. Businesses and organizations interested in participating should call 536-7222.