This April, the English Empowerment Center will host our FIRST Career and Opportunities Fair! We are so excited to bring this experience to our learners. The fair will provide the chance to learn more about services and career opportunities in the Northern Virginia area. Learners will have the chance to meet face-to-face with potential employers or trainers.
In Fairfax County, VA, representing 70% of English Empowerment Center learners, the 2022 Needs Assessment states on English Proficiency, “Fairfax County is a community with much diversity in its population and many languages spoken. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there were 153,485 (or 14.3%) Fairfax County residents (five years of age and over) who spoke English less than very well in 2020. It further states, “Among Fairfax County residents with limited English proficiency, 75% (114,885) are persons 18 to 64 years of age. This group may experience disadvantages related to opportunities in higher wage employment, thus the inability to speak English well stands as a barrier for economic mobility. The data points to a higher rate of persons living in poverty when a language other than English is spoken at home.”
There are many barriers in addition to language barriers such as transportation, uncertainty in whether they will qualify, and fear of organizations whose goal is not in their best interest which may hold one back from taking the first step towards accessing growth opportunities. English Empowerment Center Student Services Coordinator, Juan Perez, decided a Career and Opportunities Fair could help break down some of these barriers and bring the resources to our learners. Juan has thoughtfully selected a number of potential employers and community service organizations who will have the opportunity to share with our learners. When signing up for the event, one will be asked whether they would like to submit their resume to receive a resume review before the fair. This ensures that our learners can show up feeling confident in their ability to represent themselves.
We will host local organizations and companies seeking employees such as Neighborhood and Community Services. Also in attendance will be organizations providing community services such as the Virginia Department of Labor. These organizations who help the community with services such as employment search, career training, skills training, and other professional development assistance are excited to come and share information and opportunities with our learners.
Please spread the news of the English Empowerment Center’s first Career and Opportunities Fair with your friends and family who may be interested in accessing these career growth opportunities!
If you are a company or organization interested in providing career or growth opportunities\assistance to our learners, we would love for you to join us at our Career and Opportunities Fair. Please contact jperez@EnglishEmpowermentCenter.org.
Additionally, we are looking for professionals to assist with mock interviews for our learners, helping them to build confidence and gain interview experience. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact volunteers@EnglishEmpowermentCenter.org.
