For Immediate Release

 

Date:                February 13, 2008

Contact:            Bill Thoennes, Department of Labor and Employment

Phone:              (303) 318-8004

Web:                www.coworkforce.com/sjh/

                        http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/hhs/broomfield_county_workforce_cent.shtml

 

 

BROOMFIELD WORKFORCE CENTER READY TO STAGE
METRO AREA’S FIRST 2008 YOUTH FAIR

The Youth Career/Job Fair comes to the Paul Derda Recreation Center on February 21

 

(DENVER) -- On February 21, the Broomfield Workforce Center will hold its annual Youth Career/Job Fair, an event designed to connect young people between the ages of 15 and 21 with a wide variety of job opportunities.  Over the next few months, Youth Fairs will be offered across Colorado but, historically, the Broomfield Workforce Center always provides the first one of the season.

 

For teen job seekers ready to get the jump on the competition, this is the place to be.  Whether you’re ready to line up a summer job or simply want to explore your options, you’ll find employers at this event who will be interested in talking with you.

 

The Youth Career/Job Fair

Date:               Thursday, February 21, 2008

Time:              1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Location:        Paul Derda Recreation Center

13201 Lowell Blvd., Broomfield

 

“Yes, it’s still February and the school year is still underway but it’s definitely not too early to start making plans for a summer job,” says Frank Schoengarth, director of the Broomfield Workforce Center.  “The fact is, many employers are already putting their summer workforce into place.  The competition can be fierce and the best jobs get taken early so if you want to secure a great summer job you can’t wait for summer.  You need a head start.  Well, here it is.”

 

The value of a job fair specifically for youth is obvious to any young person who has tried landing a job without some help.  Making cold calls on businesses that aren’t hiring is demoralizing and even if openings do exist, teens are typically the last link in the hiring chain.  It’s the Catch-22 faced by the millions of teenagers searching for summer employment.  Companies are reluctant to hire teens with little or no work history.  But without a job to prove themselves, young people lack the experience necessary to jump-start a career.

 

Faced with those obstacles, the Broomfield Youth Career/Job Fair is like a life-line to the future.  The free event is a fast and efficient way to connect with a diversity of participating businesses.  There are retail jobs with great employers like Jamba Juice, AMC Theaters and Game Stop.  For teens who like to work outdoors in the warm weather, Broadlands Golf Course is among the top companies hiring.  And office work is available with the City and County of Broomfield and the cities of Westminster and Superior.  That’s just scratching the surface.  In all, almost fifty youth-friendly employers are already committed to participate.

 

Workforce Administrator Chris Dewhurst advises students to make a good first impression.  “Dress appropriately and be personable and ready to summarize your skills,” he stresses.  “The goal is to let employers know what you have to offer.  If you’re prepared, you could walk out of the Paul Derda Recreation Center on February 21 with a great summer job.  And that will mean extra spending money, a boost to your résumé and an opportunity to garner valuable work experience while out of school.”

 

Youth Fairs are sponsored by the Governor’s Summer Job Hunt, an award winning program run by state and county run employment and training offices called Workforce Centers.  For twenty-seven years, the program has been matching young people’s skills and interests with employment opportunities and offering a variety of career assistance to teen job seekers.  Last year, the Governor’s Summer Job Hunt assisted almost 36,000 young people in finding summer jobs.

 

More Youth Fairs are being planned for March.  For a full listing, go to www.coworkforce.com/sjh and click on the 2008 calendar of events.  At each free youth fair, you’ll find a diverse selection of jobs with wages ranging from minimum wage to more than $10.00 per hour.  For more information on the Broomfield Youth Career/Job Fair please call 303-464-5855.

 

 

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