7/29/2008 - The Waterbury Construction Careers Initiative Will Host A Construction Career Fair

 

WATERBURY – The Waterbury Construction Careers Initiative will host a Construction Career Fair on Thursday, July 31st, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Palace Theater.

The event will bring together contractors, trade unions, the Connecticut Department of Labor and other construction-related agencies. The event, sponsored by the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board Inc., is being held in anticipation of the start of construction on three new neighborhood schools and the renovation of the Enlightenment School in Waterbury this fall.

The Waterbury Construction Career Initiative hopes to fill 100 jobs in the trades with city residents over the next two years. The focus is on introducing qualified candidates to the trades for the first time through training and education.

Previous Career Fairs sponsored by the WCCI have served more than 400 city residents with residents going on to enter apprenticeships with local trade unions.

“The Northwest Regional Workforce Board has been a great partner with the city in promoting the goals of the Good Jobs ordinance and the agency has our full support,” said Mayor Michael J. Jarjura.

Prior to the restoration of the Palace Theater in 2003, the Board of Aldermen passed the “Good Jobs” ordinance that set goals for local hiring Waterbury residents for locally funded construction projects.

NRWIB Executive Director Catherine Awwad said her agency uses an integrated approach to assist candidates with the skills they need to keep and retain jobs, including remedial math training, high school equivalency classes and assistance in obtaining the documentation necessary for union membership.

“Reaching out to the underemployed and unemployed in our city requires more than handing them a job application,” said Awwad.

For more information, contact Catherine Awwad, 203-574-6971