Oakland, CA – While the unemployment rate has risen sharply, there are industry sectors that are hiring. The City of Oakland is hosting a series of virtual job fairs to connect unemployed residents with in-demand job opportunities. In addition to sharing details on how to apply for available jobs, participating businesses may conduct virtual one-on-one interviews during the fairs.
The dates and focus of the four virtual job fairs are:
- Thursday, September 24: Retail, Hospitality and other Essential Industries
- Thursday, October 22: Transportation, Distribution & Logistics and Advanced Manufacturing
- Thursday, November 19: Healthcare
- Thursday, December 17: Information Technology
The four virtual job fairs will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. via Zoom.
“For those Oaklanders who have permanently lost their jobs, these virtual job fairs will attempt to connect them with businesses that are hiring right now,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. “We want to help Oakland residents find employment so they can support their families and help re-build our collective local economy.”
To participate in the virtual job fairs, Oakland residents should pre-register at: https://bit.ly/2YVbI46 Registrants are also encouraged to upload their resumes, if available, on the platform, which will enable employers to review and plan for day-of virtual interviews.
For Oakland residents without computer access, they can reserve a computer at one of Oakland’s three America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) to both register and participate in the virtual job fair. The AJCCs can also help Oakland residents update their resume or polish their interview skills. The three AJCCs are:
Lao Family Community Development
Languages: Spanish, Chinese, Burmese, English
Unemployment Claims Assistance – (510) 533-8850
Adult Services: (510) 290-2578
Other Services: (510) 533-8850
https://lfcd.org/
Oakland Private Industry Council
Languages: English, Spanish
Unemployment Claims Assistance: (510) 910-0986
Additional Services Phone Number: (510) 858-6742
info@oaklandpic.org
www.oaklandpic.org/
The Unity Council
Languages: English, Spanish, Mam
Call (510) 535-6101, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
careercenter@unitycouncil.org
https://unitycouncil.org/
Businesses looking to hire qualified employees for their job openings, should register for the virtual job fairs at: https://oaklandca.formstack.com/forms/business_registration_virtual_job_fairs Participating businesses include A-Para Transit, AB&I Foundry, Balance Staffing, Blue Crew, FedEx, Good Eggs, Home Depot, Randstad Staffing, Scion Staffing, Surplus Services, UPS, and many more.
Ongoing Business and Worker Support
The City’s Economic & Workforce Development Department has supported both workers and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff and volunteers have provided one-on-one support to more than 900 businesses; published weekly email updates in five languages to 8,700 business and business support partner subscribers; proactively outreached in culturally component ways to share information with hard-to-reach businesses and workers; stood up a small business emergency grant program funded by private philanthropic dollars through a partnership with Working Solutions that quickly distributed $5,000 grants to 275 businesses operated by low-income owners; secured $1.3 million in State funding to support with direct services for laid-off, low-wage workers impacted by COVID-19.
A list of up-to-date resources, including information about worker benefits, grants, loans and support services for small businesses, nonprofits and independent contractors, can be found on the City of Oakland’s Business & Worker Resource web page. The site is updated regularly as more information becomes available, so please check it often.
Businesses are encouraged to take the COVID-19 Business Impact Data Survey, which services as the City’s intake pathway to request one-on-one business assistance.
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