Connections Work will host a career fair for those involved in the justice system.

The event will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Reading on March 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. The career fair is open to anyone in the community who is on probation or parole or has had past involvement in the criminal justice system.

Amber Columbo, director of the Berks County Workforce Development Board, said companies in Berks continue to be challenged by the current labor market and need to engage with all available resources to attract new employees.

“The Connections Work Job Fair is a great way to meet potential employees that may not be familiar with their company and its opportunities,” she said.

Connections Work anticipates more than 30 employers will attend, including New Castle Lawn and Landscape, Construction Master Services, Tower Health, Brentwood Industries, East Penn Manufacturing and Redner’s. Several local social service providers will also be offering second-chance employment opportunities.

Volunteers will be on hand to provide support to job seekers by providing assistance filling out applications, performing job readiness coaching and conducting mock interviews. Laptops will be provided by the Berks County Library System so job seekers can complete online applications.

Connections Work is the leading provider of reentry workforce development programming in Berks, equipping people with justice involvement and other barriers to employment with the tools and skills necessary to become productive community members.

The organization partners with local employers to learn about the employers’ specific operations and provides referrals of people who are a good match for their hiring needs.

“Employment has the power to change lives, not only for individuals, but for families and entire communities,” said Nikki Schnovel, co-executive director of Connections Work. “Our career fair is about building meaningful connections and helping people take the next step toward a more stable and hopeful future.”

For employers interested in attending the event, contact HelpWithHiring@ConnectionsWorks.org or call 484-260-3860 ext. 3024.