RSS
Home
Getting the right help to job seekers
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Sometimes you try something and it works. At a recent Laurel community clean-up day, Michael Johnson staffed a job-opportunities booth on MacArthur Blvd. Just a little job guidance and web access seemed to go a long way with young adults.
Let’s face it: everyone wants help when they are seeking jobs. You may have been able to rely on different people over the years, whether it's family, close friends, college connections, mentors, or even recruiters. Now imagine wiping those helpful connections away – and you get a sense of what some Oakland hills/slants residents face right out of the starting gate.
If a young adult has no one around, it’s pretty tough going. No official bureaucratic program really makes a big difference. Showing up at a formal job fair or employment office isn’t really in the cards either. While not a cure-all, the best approaches seem to be truly grass-roots in nature.
The guys who hang around the Laurel? They were finally in the right place at the right time, and so was Michael Johnson. As a policy analyst in City Councilmember Jean Quan’s office, Johnson took note of their interest in applying for jobs that day. He decided to take the next step and, of course, knew how to make things happen.
Flier announcing UPS opportunity
UPS is hiring:
After the community day, Johnson wanted to bring more opportunities to the Laurel guys. It’s hard for them to find jobs, especially ones with stability and a future. Johnson started by distributing a flier which announced a “UPS is hiring” event at the Laurel Café.
Lured by internet access, donuts and the prospect of employment, Johnson explained “the young men that seem to provoke the ire of merchants, shoppers and residents alike” became job-seekers and not loiterers.
Nearly 20 people showed up at the Café, and UPS representative Hector Topete signed up people for “package handler” interviews.
Beyond UPS, the attendees were introduced to specific opportunities in utilities and construction trades. Applications were handed out for EBMUD janitorial spots.
Information about the Cypress-Mandela pre-apprenticeship program was distributed, which is a 16-week training school in the construction trades; typically 85% of graduates are employed by local companies after graduation. PG&E’s Pathways Program was also introduced, an intensive training course for apprentice line and utility workers.
Finally, Johnson began to assist people individually. He helped them create resumes and cover letters for a variety of positions they found together online, and also volunteered to fax applications as needed. While he might wince at the compliment, Michael has been making a difference.
UPS rep Hector Topete, at Laurel Cafe (Jean Quan's office)
Jobs Through Jean:
Based on this initial success, Jean Quan's office has announced a monthly event at Laurel Café. Dubbed "Jobs Through Jean," this event is scheduled for the first Thursday of each month, from 4:30pm-6:00pm.
"We are currently working with multiple companies and organizations," said Johnson, and Kaiser Hospital has already expressed interest.
"The hope [is] that bringing jobs into the community will aid us in our Focus on the Laurel District and, of course, surrounding communities."
Like the UPS effort, this event will bring in recruiters, job postings and resources, and resume/cover letter assistance. The program has also been expanded in scope, and will cover job and interview readiness skill-building. Peralta College information and speakers will be invited as well. Participants will have access to the internet and free donuts, too.
Cypress Mandela Training Center
Weekly assistance:
As part of Jean Quan's team, Michael Johnson already holds "office hours" at the World Ground Café.
On Wednesdays, from 4:00pm-6:00pm, he's available to field all citizen issues and welcomes job seekers to stop by.
Michael's on a mission, to advise all comers on how to navigate through murky job search and application waters. He's also taking names of those who want to hear about job opportunities he uncovers.
All this effort to encourage job seekers is happening on the right scale, as individuals are getting guided and mentored – one person, one step at a time. Yet even Johnson admitted he can't do this all alone. He's looking for a few reliable volunteers to join him at events, and to supply hot jobs tips.
From a bigger perspective, Johnson explained why so much sweat equity has been provided by himself and others. "We cannot police ourselves out of loitering and crime. While many people are quick to criminalize those with little in the way of resources and training, it is our policy to look at problems from a multitude of angles in order to bring greater peace to communities we serve.”
Related Articles:
Comments
