LAX EMPLOYMENT AND RESOURCE FAIR DRAWS MORE THAN 500 JOB-SEEKERS
(Hawthorne, California – September 20, 2017) More than 500 job-seekers came to the Hawthorne Memorial Center today for inspiration, motivation, one-on-one career counseling, and the opportunity to speak with employers at the LAX Fall Employment and Resource Fair.
The event, sponsored by Jobs@LAX and the LAX Community Relations Division, included a job fair featuring more than 40 employers as well as two guest speakers and a panel discussion on careers. A Job Readiness Clinic allowed participants to find out more about a wide range of subjects, including career paths, military to civilian skill transition and job re-entry, as well as sharpen their interview skills and get their resume reviewed.
“Today’s job fair was an incredible experience, filled with the energy and excitement of local community members who are eager to work, and employers who are ready to hire them,” said Trevor Daley, Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs. “With more than forty employers on hand, a number of job-seekers were hired on the spot, and many others found prospects and opportunities, or received job counseling and guidance for their search. The neighborhoods around LAX are as diverse and dynamic as our airport employers, and we are excited to be able to help inform, connect, and facilitate the hiring of these great workers.”
Speakers Daniel Torres, a Strategic Partnership Specialist with the Flintridge Center, and Michael St. Denis helped provide the motivation.
“Set realistic expectations. Take jobs as a pathway to where you want to be,” said St. Dennis, a veteran and businessman who spoke on the keys for success vets in the civilian job market. “Be willing to bet on yourself to leverage that to the next position.”
In the afternoon, Jonae Watts, a senior employment specialist from PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) led a panel discussion that included Keith Tilque of Exalt Resources, Jose Loera of Friends Outside-Los Angeles Chapter, Alphonso Ree of the Southeast LA Worksource Center, and LaTanya Atkins of LA Southwest College.
“No matter what your background is, your skills and ability, there is a job out there for you,” Watts said. “Continue on, don't stop. Be confident within yourself as you are walking every mile to land that job.”
Job-seekers had a variety of resources at their disposal during the event, which followed a similar event held last spring in Inglewood. In addition to the Job Readiness Clinic, computers were available so attendees could apply for employment and edit their resumes. The array of employers and services available impressed Gail McNeil, a former hairdresser and medical worker.
“It was very productive, informative and resourceful,” McNeil said. “I have three job prospects.”
The event was organized by Jobs@LAX, a program managed by LAWA’s First Source Hiring Program (FSHP) at LAX. The goal of the FSHP is to provide job seekers with job opportunities at LAX.
About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX is the fourth busiest airport in the world, second in the United States, and was named Skytrax’ 2017 Top 10 Most Improved Airports. LAX served more than 80.9 million passengers in 2016. LAX offers 737 daily nonstop flights to 100 cities in the U.S. and 1,386 weekly nonstop flights to 88 cities in 44 countries on 73 commercial air carriers. LAX ranks 14th in the world and fifth in the U.S. in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.2 million tons of air cargo valued at over $101.4 billion. LAX handled 697,138 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2016.
An economic study based on 2014 operations reported LAX generated 620,600 jobs in Southern California with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion. This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues. The study also reported that LAX’s ongoing capital-improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion, $966 million in state and local taxes, and $1.6 billion in federal tax revenues.
LAX is also the second most popular airport in the world to appear on Instagram according to wego.com. LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports – along with Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund.
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.
