The coronavirus pandemic continues to drastically impact the health of our economy and continues to disproportionately impact people of color in South Los Angeles. Residents continue to face economic hardship and unemployment. A quality job can literally be the difference between life and death. This pandemic presents a critical time to connect people to quality employment opportunities. Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson understands the crisis residents are facing and is focusing on connecting those hardest hit by the pandemic to career opportunities.
Councilmember Harris-Dawson hosted six EMPLOYLA jobs events aimed at directly connecting local employers to prepared job-seekers over the past . In collaboration with three South Los Angeles WorkSource Centers, hundreds of residents were able to learn about resume building, networking and virtual interviewing skills. Immediately following the workshops, attendees were invited to attend a job fair with prospective employers. In an effort to comply with COVID-19 safety measures, these employment events were hosted virtually on Zoom. Over 350 Los Angeles residents logged on to participate in the virtual employment events.
“The need for employment is at an all-time high, especially in our community, and I remain adamant about ensuring that South LA residents have pathways to high quality careers,” said Councilmember Harris-Dawson. “I know how difficult it can be to find a job during this crisis, and I want to create as many opportunities for residents as possible.”
Participants of the Job Readiness Workshops included the West Adams Worksource Center operated by the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP), South Los Angeles Worksource Center operated by the Labor Employment and Training Corporation, and the Southeast Los Angeles Worksource center operated by the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC). Each workshop consisted of a 25-minute presentation followed by a virtual question and answer segment. These readiness workshops gave job-seekers the necessary tips to apply for the company’s open positions and begin the hiring process. Attendees were able to hear directly from job training experts and sharpen their interview skills.
After the Job Readiness Workshops, attendees were able to log on to the virtual job fair. Participating employers included Clean Sweep Group, Inc., Athens Services, and the Los Angeles Unified School District. Attendees were able to learn about the company’s available positions, eligibility requirements, and hiring process. The fairs also provided eligible attendees the opportunity to raise their virtual hands to ask questions and engage with employers.
Council District 8 streamlined the hiring process for attendees by sharing their contact information directly to the employers to begin the interview process. There were over 100 available positions ranging from Custodial/Building and Grounds workers and Hospital Sanitation Technicians, to Equipment Operators and Diesel Technicians.
Two attendees have already accepted job offers as a direct result of these EMPLOYLA jobs events. “Bringing job opportunities to South Los Angeles is my top priority, and my team and I are excited to see job-seekers find employment,” said Councilmember Harris-Dawson.
Councilmember Harris-Dawson consistently leads the charge in bringing jobs to the district and ensuring that residents know about career opportunities. He and his team will continue working with local employers and South Los Angeles Worksource Centers to provide job training and employment opportunities during this crisis and beyond.
