Taveras, Fung launch job fair series to tackle unemployment

WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS of Providence/Cranston will host eight job fairs this year targeting specific industry sectors. Above, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras speaks at a Wednesday event announcing the initiative, flanked by Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung (left) and Workforce Solutions Director Robert L. Ricci (right). At far left, Annette Lemieux, a counselor for Workforce Solutions. / COURTESY CITY OF PROVIDENCE/JASON HERNANDEZ
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS of Providence/Cranston will host eight job fairs this year targeting specific industry sectors. Above, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras speaks at a Wednesday event announcing the initiative, flanked by Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung (left) and Workforce Solutions Director Robert L. Ricci (right). At far left, Annette Lemieux, a counselor for Workforce Solutions. / COURTESY CITY OF PROVIDENCE/JASON HERNANDEZ

(Updated, 5 p.m.)

PROVIDENCE – Mayor Angel Taveras and Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung have renewed their partnership through Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston, announcing the launch of a series of eight job fairs geared toward specific industries.

“Rhode Island still lags the nation in its recovery from the recession and its unacceptably high unemployment rate. We are using the resources at hand to do all we can to help our residents, and our small businesses, grow and succeed,” said Taveras at a joint event on Wednesday. “By aligning qualified skilled workers with businesses that are actively hiring employees, we are achieving just that and building a stronger economy.”

“The residents of our great cities deserve every opportunity to find gainful employment and through our combined efforts we will provide them a forum to do so,” said Fung. “These job fairs will certainly go a long way towards helping them meet potential employers and provide essential networking opportunities.”

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Representatives of the R.I. Department of Labor and Training’s Business Workforce Center will coordinate the planning, promotion and operation of the job fair series. This year, the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce will also join the initiative by encouraging its members to participate in the job fairs and hire locally.

“Partnerships of this nature are essential to the strength and vitality of our state and its economy,” said Chamber President Laurie White at the event. “Bringing two cities together around this common concern – and being partners to this effort – will ensure that we are bringing resources to bear on our staggering unemployment problem, while helping our state’s businesses find talented and qualified employees.”

The first job fair, focusing on the health care industry, will be held Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Rogers Williams Park Casino at 1000 Elmwood Ave. in Providence. Among the companies participating in this fair are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, CharterCare Health Partners, Gateway Healthcare Inc., Providence VA Medical Center, Rhode Island Free Clinic. and Women and Infants Hospital.

Representatives of participating companies will be on hand to accept applications and address hiring questions. All job fairs in this series are free and open to the public, but attendees are encouraged to preregister due to limited space.

The complete schedule of job fairs is as follows. Unless otherwise noted, all events will be held at the Rogers Williams Park Casino.

  • Wednesday, March 19: All industry and manufacturing.
  • Tuesday, April 22: Military, veterans and families (Providence Career & Technical Academy, 41 Fricker St., Providence).
  • Wednesday, May 14: Hospitality.
  • Wednesday, June 18: Food science roundtable (location TBD).
  • Wednesday, Sept. 10: Health care.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 15: Retail.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 12: All industry and manufacturing.

For more information or to pre-register, visit www.providenceri.com, or contact the city of Providence at fdickervitz@providenceri.com or by phone at (401) 680-8578.

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