Job fairs help relocating Puerto Ricans, sales professionals and others

Puerto Ricans are relocating to Florida in the wake of hurricane Maria – and they’re going to need jobs. That’s the idea behind the Job Fair for Relocating Puerto Ricans by the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County.

“Their number one concern is get the kids in school and get myself a job,” says Ana Rivera, who organized the fair at Southern Technical College’s Auburndale campus.

Housing is often provided by family or through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, she says.

The 10-year-old chamber founded by Rivera has scheduled the free job fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at 298 Havendale Blvd., Auburndale.

In addition to helping relocating Puerto Ricans, the fair will be assisting the college’s graduates looking for work. “You’ll be seeing a potpourri of people here,” says Rivera, the chamber president.

Jobseekers are encouraged to bring an updated resume and whatever identification they have.

Online registration is available. “Everyone has been registering in advance,” she says. “The employers will have access to their emails.”

So far about 12 employers have signed up to participate in the event, some of them seeking bilingual employees for a call center or the local 911. “Even the Supervisor of Elections is looking to hire people to work at the polls,” she adds.

Three temporary agencies are looking for people for a variety of jobs, including teaching assistance.

The need for job help was highlighted by a Nov. 13 forum at Southeastern University, Rivera says, when Puerto Ricans expressed a need for a more “intimate forum” where they could ask questions.

After hurricane Maria wreaked havoc in their homeland, Puerto Ricans have been streaming into Florida for a better life. Gov. Rick Scott set out the proverbial welcome mat, opening Disaster Relief Centers for families and suspending state occupational license fees to ease the transition.

The Interstate 4 corridor has been an attractive place to relocate. “They’re finding Polk County has things to offer them,” she says. “It’s better for their buck.”

Here are some other job fairs scheduled in the Tampa Bay region.

• The Aramark Job Fair is planned from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Jobseekers need to RSVP, bring a copy of their resume, and enter through Gate B within the East Galley/Club Entrance. Openings are available for a wide variety of positions including bartenders, cooks, runners, stand leads, and warehouse workers, will be conducted. Jobseekers are advised to apply to no more than one or two positions in advance.
• Nations Joblink is having its Florida Joblink 2017 Career Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Holiday Inn Conference Center, 700 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. The free event serves people in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties as well as others in the surrounding areas. Multiple career fields will be represented, including sales, management, customer service, insurance, government, education, and human resources. Register online here.
• A job fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Stone Ledge Manor, a Thonotosassa assisting living and memory/respite care center located at 12006 McIntosh Rd. The center is seeking to fill positions in nursing, maintenance, activities and more. Register for the free event.
• Tampa Job Fair, a Coast-to-Coast Career Fairs event featuring multiple employers, is slated from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore – Airport Area, 700 N. Westshore Blvd.,Tampa. This is an opportunity to meet – and interview with – hiring managers from both small and large organizations. A wide range of industries will be represented, including accounting, advertising, biotechnology, construction, health, information technology, journalism, music, tourism and telecommunications. The event is free. Register online.
• Career Showcase is holding its Tampa Job Fair from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Tampa Marriott Westshore, 1001 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. The fair focuses on sales positions, offering job candidates an opportunity to connect with Fortune 500 companies. Show up promptly at 5 p.m. to hear the company presentations. Register here.
• United Job Fairs is having its Tampa Career Fair from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Doubletree by Hilton, Tampa Westshore Airport, 4500 W. Cypress St., Tampa. The fair specializes in sales, business development, marketing, customer service, and retail and sales management jobs. Reserve a place.