U can B Career Fair @ Perry High

On April 20, 2016, juniors and seniors at Perry High School in Pittsburgh had the opportunity to meet local employers and discuss career opportunities at the U can B Career Opportunity Fair!

Students learn about Rosedale Tech

The City of Pittsburgh, First National Bank, IBEX Global, Allegheny Health Network, US Army, The Priory Hotel, Made Right Here, Rosedale Technical College, and Moriarty Consultants all sent representatives to the event.  Students learned about both immediate and long-term career opportunities.  Career paths in health care, government, finance, and trades were discussed.  Immediate job opportunities in areas such as personal care and hospitality were offered to students.  Students filled out applications for employment and were invited to register for education open houses.  Employers, students, and teachers all agreed the event was a great success.

This was the second Perry High School U can B Career Opportunity Fair which was organized by Building Bridges for Business.  The first took place in March of 2016 and was open to both students and parents.  The April 20th event took place during school hours and was open only to students.  The Opportunity Fairs are a part of an on-going partnership between Building Bridges for Business and Perry High School.  Building Bridges launched its U can B Career Awareness Program at Perry High School in October of 2015.

Perry students attend the career fair!

The U can B Program provides career education to local high school and middle school students. U can B currently operates at several area schools including but not limited to Clayton High School, Sto-Rox High School, PA Cyber, Pittsburgh Classical Academy, Seneca Valley High, and Perry.  The Perry program has featured a series of guest speakers that have included U can B staff, representatives from local businesses, and educators from Pittsburgh-area post-secondary schools.  The April 20th Career Opportunity Fair at Perry High was the culminating event for this year's U can B Program.

For more information about U can B, visit www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.

US Probation Providing Second Chances

Job seekers with a criminal record often feel like an employer is never going to give them an opportunity.  The United States Probation & Pretrial Services Office of Western Pennsylvania proves this is not the case.  On April 29, 2016, The US Probation Office in Pittsburgh will host its Third Annual Job Fair at the Federal Courthouse.  This event gives former offenders on supervision with the court an opportunity to connect with local employers.  The US Probation Job Fair also proves that employers are willing to give a Second Chance to candidates who are able to demonstrate their value regardless of a criminal past.

The Job Fair at US Probation has become one of Pittsburgh's best workforce development events.  Employers who have participated the past two years have said:

"Some of the best prepared candidates I have ever met at a job fair!"

"I was at a college career fair yesterday; the job seekers I've met at this event are much more professional and ready for a job fair."

"Everybody deserves a second chance, and that's why we are here today."

A job seeker with a criminal record must work much harder and be better prepared than those job seekers without a criminal past in order to compete in the job market.  With this in mind, Jessica Albert (Community Resource Specialist at US Probation Pittsburgh) and her team spend weeks helping probationers get ready for the moment to capitalize on their chance to discuss career opportunities with a potential employer.  Probationers, in preparation for the event, spend weeks in job readiness classes studying topics such as Dress for Success, Handling Difficult Interview Questions, Contact & Follow-Up with Employers, Networking, and Highlighting Skills to Employers.

"Job Readiness becomes a little more intense around the time of the Job Fair, but this is a year-round process at our probation office," says Mrs. Albert.  In fact, probation officers, support staff, deputy chiefs and the Chief US Probation Officer all contribute to the effort.  Belinda Ashley, the Chief US Probation Officer in Pittsburgh, says, "Helping ex-offenders rebuild their lives is such an important part of what we do at probation. There is a positive impact on families and communities every time we help one of our people reach success."

Employers will pack the courthouse on April 29th because they, too, benefit from the event.  Each year multiple hires are made.  Local businesses have found US Probation's Job Fair and Workforce Development Program to be a great source for talented workers.

US Probation is extending the time for employers to register to participate.  Contact Jessica at 412-395-6907 ext. 5027 to register today!

Career Fair - Perry High School!

Call for Employers! The next Building Bridges for Business U Can B Career Opportunity Fair will take place at Perry HS on April 20th. If you or your business would like to participate, contact me today. Still space remaining for schools, employers, training providers, etc.

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