PUHI — There was a line outside when the doors opened Wednesday to the Kaua‘i Community College Employment Fair, said Lorrie Cahill. “People were waiting outside when the doors opened, but after the initial rush the crowd comes in surges,
PUHI — There was a line outside when the doors opened Wednesday to the Kaua‘i Community College Employment Fair, said Lorrie Cahill.
“People were waiting outside when the doors opened, but after the initial rush the crowd comes in surges, mostly between classes,” said Cahill, the event coordinator.
More than 20 vendors converged at the KCC One Stop Center for the employment fair which attracted people from the college population as well as from the community.
This was fewer than last year’s fair where the One Stop Center had four rows of vendors compared with the two rows Wednesday.
Unemployment figures dropped about a half percent from last March. The preliminary unemployment figures for last month were 9.3 percent based on a 31,450 total civilian work force, according to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations “Not Seasonally Adjusted Civilian Labor Force” list. This compares with 9.8 percent for March 2009 based on a 32,100 work force.
The compilation also compares 28,550 people being employed in March 2010 compared with 28,950 being employed in March 2009. Unemployed people are 2,900 for March 2010 compared with 3,150 in March 2009.
“Most of the vendors have jobs though,” Cahill said. “There are two companies from Honolulu who are here with jobs, and they seem to be doing very well. Others don’t have anything to offer now, but they are here to support the college and distribute information about their companies. We are very grateful to the employers because they are so supportive of the college and its programs.”
Cahill said the fair, open to the public, was coordinated through the KCC Office of Cooperative Education and Job Placement.
One of the browsers said she already has a job, but her friend was here from O‘ahu so they came to see what kind of opportunities were available.
Kaua‘i Police officer Darla Abbatiello-Higa, the KPD liaison for the Explorer program, was happy because the program got three new recruits from the flow of traffic.
Diana Simao of American Savings Bank said she had a listing with all the jobs the bank had in the state; Kaua‘i had three openings.
Shen Belarmiano of the Big Save human resources office said Big Save also had opportunities to offer, but could not compare this year’s event because she was unable to attend the event last year.
Volunteer Internship Program
Peggy Lake, Workforce Development Specialist with WorkWise Kaua‘i, was offering a new program for people seeking employment.
“We were busy with moving the office, so the program was slow to get started,” Lake said. “But we’re here, and this new internship program is a win-win for both employers and employees.”
The DLIR Volunteer Internship Program allows prospective employees and employers an eight-week period to “try each other out,” Lake said.
The DLIR initiative was developed by Gov. Linda Lingle in response to Hawai‘i’s growing job losses, states a program flier.
VIP is a voluntary program that allows job seekers, especially those receiving unemployment insurance benefits, to gain workforce training through the internship.
On successful completion of training, the intern receives certification of job skills acquired and consideration for employment.
This opportunity to train through VIP is limited to a maximum of 32 hours a week for up to eight weeks, the flier states.
Lake said any business in good standing with the state and not in high-risk occupations can qualify.
Because this is a state program, there is limited coverage for injuries sustained by an intern provided by the DLIR. Firms benefit because the DLIR will pre-screen qualified applicants and because it is voluntary, businesses have the discretion to accept an intern.
Wages are not paid to an intern, but the applicant can acquire new skills and experiences from job-specific training which will enhance his or her resume. The applicant also receives a certificate of completion, but more importantly, is able to get a “foot in the door” for future job openings with a business.
Under this program, the applicant receiving unemployment insurance benefits continue to receive benefits during the internship.
Lake welcomes businesses to see what benefits it can receive through this program.
Visit www.hawaii.gov/labor/vip, or call 586-8877 for more information.
