City hosts free hiring and job training event to help employers fill vacancies

Posted by author July 9, 2024 Jobs

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Looking for a job can be exhausting if you have limited time and transportation to get to multiple interviews.

The City of Honolulu wants to make it easier by bringing many employers together at one time and one place.

More than 90 employers — from banking to hospitality — are recruiting at the Work Hawaii Division’s free hiring event this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

“We have city, state, federal and many different businesses that will be there,” said Leiala Cook, recruiter with the City’s Work Hawaii American Job Center.

And there are free training and development programs for everyone ranging from students to seniors and veterans.

“We’ll be featuring digital literacy workshops, which is free hosted by the DOE Waipahu Community Schools for adults, as well as information about State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations QUEST paid program as well,” she said.

The federally funded QUEST Program offers paid internships for workers who’ve had a lack of work experience, long-term unemployment, and previous criminal history or incarceration.

The City pays the intern’s wages at participating businesses.

Cook says workers in government, healthcare, carpentry, and the hotel industry are the most in demand.

“Bring a few of your resumes, dress accordingly and be ready to have an interview on the spot,” she advised.

The event is free to attend. Parking is $8.

The initiative is part of the City’s efforts to build up the workforce, meet the needs of companies and facilitate econonomic recovery.

Last Friday, the latest U.S. jobs report showed the unemployment rate edged higher 4.1% — the first time the jobless rate was above 4% in nearly 3 years.

Here’s the schedule:

9:30-10 a.m. Computer Basics
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Internet Basics, Safety and Security
1-2 p.m. Drop-In Support – allows individuals to receive guidance on specific digital literacy topics of their interest

The American Job Center Hawaii is a one-stop center that provides free employment training services to job seekers and assists employers who are looking to hire or train employees. The office is located at 680 Iwilei Road, Suite 799. Hours are as follows:

Office House: Weekdays 7:45 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Resource Center: Weekdays 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Resource Outlet: Saturdays 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.