Industry Joins Forces For Job Fair Marked for Success
Los Angeles County employers and social service agencies joined forces last week for LA Connection: People Helping People, a job fair sponsored by the California Mart, Dress-4-Success, Mervyn’s Community Closet and Cal Mart parent company the Hertz Corporation.
The purpose of the event, which was held July 26 in the Cal Mart Fashion Theater, was to combine employment resources from corporations, manufacturers and downtown business associations and offer assistance to employment-seeking candidates receiving aid from social services.
The event was coordinated by Karen Mamont, Cal Mart public relations and marketing director; Janet Lavender, founder of Dress-4-Success; and Everett Richie and Linda Oliver of General Relief Opportunities for Work (GROW).
“Our intent is to unify the Los Angeles fashion industry and improve our city by helping people off the streets and back into the job market,” said Mamont.
The job fair was the first of its kind to be hosted in the Cal Mart and drew over 300 applicants, according to Mamont.
“It’s a wonderful event that presents a full package to employers and job candidates,” said Los Angeles city council member Eric Garcetti. “This is how we should always lend our support to the community.”
Also present at the event was Los Angeles city council member Nate Holden. Both he and Garcetti spoke out to employers, encouraging the community’s continued support of job fairs.
Over 30 employers turned out for the fair, including Universal Studios, Mervyn’s, Target, Wells Fargo Bank, the Los Angeles Unified School District, Macy’s, Kingsbury Uniforms, City of L.A. Industry & Commercial Development, the Wilshire Grand Hotel, the L.A. Athletic Club and the Department of Water & Power (DWP).
Many employers said their presence was in support of community services. However, they admitted they were also lured in by state and federal government incentives.
“There are a lot of tax programs that have not been utilized by employers,” Mamont explained. “Hiring these qualified individuals, who have been out of the job market for a long time, is one way employers can utilize the program[s] and help the government put people back into the workforce.”
Guest speaker Carol Schatz, president and chief executive officer of Central City Association and Downtown Center Business Improvement District, said that about 50 percent of the employers present at the event were members of her association.
Several attendees said that the motivational speeches given by guest speakers Kate Rice, style expert from Mervyn’s Community Closet, and celebrity stylist George Bloodwell helped alleviate applicant jitters.
Preparation for the fair began several months ago in the Cal Mart, with tax-benefit seminars for employers and tips and wardrobe consultations for applicants, some of whom were featured in a post-event fashion show sponsored by Mervyn’s Community Closet.
The fair also provided opportunities for applicants who are not being aided by social service agencies but who showed up at the event seeking employment in the fashion industry.
Scott-Thaler, an executive search firm for Southern California’s fashion, retail and transportation industries, was on hand to discuss employment opportunities with potential applicants. Owner Brian Thaler, who gave away lucky rocks and exchanged words of motivation, said that he spoke to about 40 people and that about a dozen left resumes.
