February Hire Results for Job Seekers

Youth Job Fair and Career Expo: A growing tradition in Jefferson County

The Jeffco YouthWorks program of the Jefferson County Workforce Center has been living up to their motto – “Everyone Starts Somewhere” – for the past six years by sponsoring a Youth Job Fair and Career Expo. Youth ages 14-21 seeking part-time, full-time, and/or summer employment find a one stop shop at the JCWFC’s Youth Fair. This job fair gives youth the chance to find that first job or to find a job that can help them meet their goal of completing school while also earning an income.

Last year’s event took place at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds on a Tuesday in early March. Youth job seekers could choose from more typical employers for youth such as McDonald’s, Sonic Drive-In, Elitch Gardens, and Lakeside to something a little different like TCF Bank and Jefferson County government. Many retailers from Hot Topic to Jamba Juice to Off Broadway Shoes also took advantage of this chance to find qualified youth.

Jaime Schrader, the coordinator for the 2008 Youth Job Fair and Career Expo, states that “Many youth are surprised by the number of employers interested in hiring youth. Some of our youth learn the fine art of networking at the job fair by preparing a simple resume, and coming to the fair with a clear idea of the type of work they would like to do.”

Jaime also adds that the Career Expo portion of the job fair is a great opportunity for youth to explore future career options. For instance, last year, the Red Rocks Community College Process Technology program was featured at the job fair. Youth who entered stopped by this booth learned about what it takes to work in the field of process technology (part of the manufacturing industry) and found out how to get started using the programs at Red Rocks Community College.

Want a more hands on approach? There were several organizations at last year’s fair that offered information about apprenticeships. Representatives from the following organizations: The Colorado Journeyman & Apprentice Training, Colorado Sheet Metal Workers Training Institute, Independent Electrical Contractors, Rocky Mountain Asphalt Education Center/Colorado Asphalt Pavement Assoc., and United Association of Pipefitters Local 208 were on hand to inform interested youth about how to become an apprentice. For 2008, many of these organizations will be returning. An exciting addition will be apprenticeship opportunities from ACF Colorado Chefs Association-Culinary Apprenticeships for aspiring chefs.

The 2008 Youth Job Fair and Career Expo will take place on Tuesday, March 4 from 1:30 – 5:30 p.m. at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Workforce specialists are hard at work recruiting top employers for this year’s fair and have already lined up businesses like UPS, Elitch Gardens, Hertz, and Hot Topic. The fair planners anticipate over 100 employers and community organizations will take advantage of this opportunity to utilize one of our best resources – our youth. Visit our website at www.jeffcoyouthworks.org to register in advance.