Workforce System Success Stories - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

It’s that time of year when we all naturally start thinking about how to get the new year started on the right foot. The 200+ jobseekers and 14 employers who attended the December community hiring event job fair hosted by DWDAL’s Reemployment Program team already have their edge for 2024, an edge that includes valuable employer contacts and connections to workforce system resources, and more than a few filled vacancies!

Pulling off an event this large and successful takes a lot of strategic planning, partner support, and old-fashioned hard work. Statewide Reemployment Program Director Suja Joseph and Regional Business Solutions Consultant Teresa Mena boldly hatched the plan just weeks beforehand. Suja approached the leadership of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church to see if they would be willing to open their doors on a weekday for the envisioned community job fair. Not only did the church generously offer space, but the pastors, deacons, and other congregants worked closely with DWDAL’s team to set the space up, assist with outreach efforts, open church internet access to participants, and even share a copier machine. On top of this, the church invited the Frederick County Sheriff's office to patrol the area during the event and attend as one of the employers.

Meanwhile, Teresa , who was determined from the onset that this would be a “hiring event” where people could find jobs, coordinated with the Veterans and Business Services professionals at the Frederick County Workforce System to promote the event and recruit businesses and other community partners to participate. DWDAL staff from as far away as the Susquehanna region jumped in to make the day a success. (Looking at you, Mary Johnson!) Together, this power team created an event that helped employers find the talent their organizations need, and helped jobseekers prepare for a successful job search, connect with employment, improve their health, and even squeeze in a meal!

Here are a few impressive fast facts from this fabulous community job fair:

• 14 employers participated, seeking to fill positions in locations throughout the state of Maryland.
• Ten jobseekers left the job fair with firm job offers. Many additional participants left with pending offers.
• Employers in attendance included: the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, U.S. Navy Reserve, U.S. Army, Shepherd Pratt, Frederick National Lab, Army Community Services, Frederick County Government, Frederick County Public Schools, 7-11 Inc., Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.
• Frederick Community College was unable to send a representative to the job fair, but DWDAL staff assisted six jobseekers in completing applications for current openings there during the job fair.
• While all of the employers were terrific, the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) was the event’s uncontested star. DJS sent seven staff who were able to meet with 50 jobseekers, and interview 12 candidates. To expedite the process, they brought along their finger printing machine so that they could offer jobs to seven applicants on the spot. DJS was so pleased with the outcome, they are already planning to come equipped with more staff so they can interview more jobseekers at DWDAL’s next job fair.
• A representative from the Frederick County Small Business Development Center met with 30 participants to discuss their interest in starting new businesses.
• DWDAL’s Professional Outplacement and Assistance Center team offered personalized coaching sessions to jobseekers on the federal and private sector application processes, interviewing techniques, and building a professional social media presence.
• ResumeFix founder Charlie Reagan provided guidance on resume writing to over 40 participants, and personally reviewed and provided feedback on the resumes of 12 individuals during the event.
• The Love for Lochlin health services bus offered free flu shots and twelve attendees took them up on it.
• To help participants stave off hunger, 7-11 was onsite with free pizza, beef sliders, water, and an assortment of individually packaged sweet and savory snacks.

Kudos to the dynamic DWDAL Reemployment team that pulled together such an epic event in such a short time. Your efforts touched many lives and are setting the stage for a bright new year for Maryland!