Syracuse, N.Y. – Nearly 100 people turned out Thursday for a job fair geared toward bringing together employers eager to build diverse and inclusive workforces with potential workers.
The Community at Work Job Fair was presented by CareerBridge IT Solutions, in partnership with Advance Media NY, syracuse.com | The Post-Standard and CNY Works with support from Wegmans. The fair aimed to connect employers with people with physical and mental disabilities to help them land their first job or plan out long-term career growth.
The idea started over a year ago when an employee resource group was created at Advance, syracuse.com’s parent company, for staffers who have different abilities and for workers who have loved ones with disabilities, said Geoff Herbert, a reporter and podcaster for syracuse.com.
“We heard a lot of stories of people that are scared or nervous about finding a job or finding extra barriers for things (when) they shouldn’t have any different experiences,” Herbert said. “The things that we can do are so much more important than the things that we can’t do. We all have superpowers.”
Herbert said these ideas are what helped launch the “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which was recorded at Thursday’s event, as well as the job fair itself. He said he hoped the event would encourage people to take a look at hiring through a fresh set of eyes.
He also pointed out that sometimes hiring limitations aren’t about the potential workers. A lack of handicap parking spots or too many stairs and not enough ramps can also become challenges.
Twenty employers from across Central New York participated. The companies, which ranged from the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District and Carpenters Local 277 to Catholic Charities of Onondaga County and AccessCNY, have a proven track record of working with those with disabilities, according to Kyle Hostetler, the adult program manager at CNY Works.
The companies offered a wide range of positions, from entry-level custodial positions to IT service and technical positions.
Many employers echoed Herbert, that people with disabilities have more abilities than many think about.
“Be open-minded,” Victoria Cannon, the recruiter for the Arc of Onondaga, an organization that works with and employs people with disabilities, said of employers who may not already be working with those with disabilities.
“You would be surprised how much an individual with a disability will put into their work,” she said. “They’re very dedicated and want to prove themselves.”
Jessica James, a job seeker at the event, said she enjoyed the number of employers, job opportunities and networking available at the event.
“I learned that when the time is right, it will come, and particular jobs or companies are not for everybody,” James said.
Rosemary Avila, executive director for CNY Works, said she hopes the event will encourage more employers to join in the future and to learn more about the regulations and accommodations available to workers with disabilities.
For those who missed the event, Hostetler and Avila urged both businesses and potential workers to utilize CNY Works’ programs, such as resume building, on-the-job training, and employed worker training.
For both employers and job seekers looking for more information on how to get involved in events like this, email info@cnyworks.com.
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