Norton Job Fair Thursday to Give DC Residents Early Chance at Stimulus Jobs (7/13/09)

Norton Job Fair Thursday to Give D.C. Residents Early Chance at Stimulus Jobs

July 13, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The District is struggling with a 10.7 percent unemployment rate, but Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's success in getting extra stimulus project funding for the nation's capital will boost job possibilities, as she hosts private companies, federal and local agencies, and non-profit and training organizations with openings for District residents at her annual Job Fair on Thursday, July 16, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Ave., N.W., Hall "C". More than 80 employers, with jobs currently available, have been confirmed. Participants must bring proof of D.C. residency (driver's license, non-driver's license, a utility bill, etc.). Although the six-hour Job Fair begins at 11 a.m.,at 9:30 a.m. a Jobs Workshop featuring a "Dress for Success" Fashion Show, tips forjob hunting in a down-turn economy, and information on apprenticeship training and stimulus jobs will be offered until 11 a.m.A broad cross section of employers from throughout the region will be on hand, among them: Aflac, American University, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, First Choice Staffing, H&R Block, National Public Radio, RCN, the Washington Convention Center, Washington Gas, and government agencies, including Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, D.C Metropolitan Police Department, FBI, Office of Personnel Management, and the Peace Corp. Residents attending the Job fair are asked to bring resume copies, and wear professional attire.

Norton's amendment to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund stimulus pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training programs will provide training to help minorities and women qualify for the jobs created by stimulus funds. The GSA, which is in the process of selecting contractors, is working closely with Norton's office to encourage and help District residents to qualify for, apply for, and get jobs at the site. The federal government funds contractors, who by law, must open competition to the general public. However, to encourage and facilitate employment of local residents, GSA will have a temporary facility at the DHS construction site to help job applicants with their applications and to enroll candidates in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training. GSA also will monitor the hiring process and will issue bi-weekly status reports on job applications.

Norton's success in getting extra stimulus funds will translate into extra jobs for D.C. because of an unusually large construction package from the GSA subcommittee, which Norton chairs, that will provide a new set of skilled and un-skilled jobs. The Department of Homeland Security headquarters construction is scheduled to begin in September with $1 billion for the first building, plus two more buildings and rehabilitation of many historic structures on the Ward 8 site to come for a total of 38,000 jobs to be generated before construction of the DHS compound is complete. Norton also secured almost $6 billion in GSA funding for repair and rehabilitation of 22 federal buildings in the District. The first jobs for clearing the lot at the DHS site on the west campus of St. Elizabeths are expected this month.

"This deep recession does not mean that there are no jobs, particularly in this region, which is doing better than most," Norton said. "Our Job Fair's success throughout the years has not only been because of its reputation as a fruitful source of jobs, but because it offers personal contact with so many employers with open jobs in one place at a time. Residents tell us that this efficient one-stop shopping has been invaluable for sizing up their chances and discovering new opportunities they had otherwise not considered."

The Congresswoman's Annual Job Fair, exclusively for D.C. residents, attracts people from all wards of the city, and from all job and professional backgrounds. Last year more than 4,000 D.C. residents attended. A complete list of participating agencies and businesses with job openings will be at the job fair.