7,000 try luck at job fair
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Staff Writer
About 7,000 people who are looking for jobs flowed steadily through the Hawai'i Convention Center yesterday, filling out applications, receiving counseling and learning about training programs.
With more than 11,000 people out of work in Hawai'i since the Sept. 11 East Coast terrorist attacks, the organizers of the job fair, Operation O'ahu WorkLinks, said the turnout was more than the 5,000 anticipated.
Jarrett Johnson, 21, is putting himself through college and was recently laid off from his job. In the past two weeks he's applied for six jobs and was able to find another opportunity with Open Air Technical Services.
"They made it really easy to apply and they offered training," Johnson said, adding that he'll read the material that was handed out before making a decision.
Joey Silva, 18, employed for three years, was recently laid off from Alamo Rent A Car. He didn't find any suitable job with the companies at the job fair, but he was hoping to qualify for free training.
In New York, about 6,000 people flocked to a city-sponsored job fair Wednesday for people thrown out of work by the World Trade Center disaster. Thousands were turned away, prompting the city to plan a second event next week.
In Honolulu yesterday, people coming in tended to be nervous and found it comforting to find a process for applying for jobs, obtaining services and getting training, said Linda Gilchrist, chairwoman of O'ahu Workforce Investment Board, which operates O'ahu WorkLinks.
"We feel we touched their lives and really helped them in some way," Gilchrist said. "It's been very encouraging to me to see so many people talking to employers and then seeing people filling out job applications."
O'ahu WorkLinks is a partnership of cooperating agencies, organizations and private businesses dedicated to work force development on O'ahu.
At the job fair, 50 employers, 20 social services organizations and 37 schools offered jobs, counseling, workshops and encouragement, Gilchrist said.
Many of the employers had run out of information packets and brochures.
The employers and employment agencies had about 2,000 jobs openings, including Maui Police, Kahi Mohala Behavioral Healthcare, Bank of Hawai'i and Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons was looking for guards, nurses, a sports supervisor and an electrical supervisor, said Vinson Lanpkin. The agency recruits on a continuous basis and has 25 openings.
"When we show the electricians the pay scale, that sells the job," Lanpkin said.
People received financial, career and business counseling services as well.
Schools offered degrees and training in such things as computer courses, aviation and massage therapy.
Blaine Apo, who runs a bus-driver school, said he had 33 inquiries and seven people signed up. A bus driver's license is also good for trucks, Apo said, but a person with a truck driver's license can't drive a bus. He said there are always driving jobs available.
For many, the training will be free, but people had to meet certain qualifications, including having been laid off recently.
The program has more than $3 million available for employment-related training.
Joe Eala, 28, escorted juvenile offenders to the fair and found some interesting options for himself. But he wasn't ready to apply.
"I was just looking at my options for the future," he said, adding that the information was easy to obtain and people in the booths were helpful in determining whether his charges qualified for jobs.
People who missed the job fair can still get help at Oahu WorkLinks offices throughout the island, Gilchrist said.
Special airfares have been created for Lana'i and Moloka'i residents on Island Air to serve communities hit hard in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono asked the airline to consider creating the special fares for residents who need to travel to new jobs or interviews on different islands.
The discounted fare — good through Dec. 15 — is $79 for a round-trip ticket to Honolulu, Hilo, Kona, Kahului or Kapalua. The regular price is $74 for a one-way ticket.
Hawaiian Airlines also is expected to offer reduced rates, according to Hirono, who visited Lana'i yesterday.
Young Brothers will provide free shipping for the Hawai'i Foodbank to establish operations on Lana'i and Moloka'i, she said.
Staff writer Tim Hurley contributed to this report.
