400 Staten Islanders Networked at Our Virtual Job Fair
One of the biggest effects of the COVID pandemic has been massive unemployment and job loss. In response, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce has doubled down on its workforce efforts, providing new and unique ways for businesses to fill their vacancies and put Staten Islanders to work.
On November 18, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce hosted its Fall Virtual Job Fair, the latest in our efforts to support our borough’s workforce. The job fair allowed Island residents to meet, interview, and network with employers, and was free for employers and job seekers.
The event, made possible by sponsorship from Con Edison, National Grid, and Northfield Bank, attracted nearly 400 attendees, including more than 300 job seekers and 53 employers. Employers included the NYC Dept. of Education, Amazon, Con Edison, the Council on Port Performance, the Port Authority on New York & New Jersey, Workforce1,Workforce1 Industrial &Transportation, United Activities Unlimited, and Youth WINS, among others.
Following the success of our 2020 Annual Meeting, the Chamber once again utilized the innovative Remo platform, which simulates an in-person conference in a digital space. Attendees were able to explore the space and sit at virtual “tables,” where they could video conference with employers. Meanwhile, employers set up their own virtual tables, filling them with promotional materials, company information, and videos.
The space also allowed for private conversations, interviews, and on-the-spot hires through the use of two-person tables.
“This month’s Job Fair was one of the Chamber’s most successful and well-attended events in our history,” said Dominic Provenzano, the Chamber’s Marketing & Communications Manager. “The Job Fair is a reminder of the Chamber’s dedication to supporting the workforce of our borough and the small businesses we serve every day. We look forward to hosting our next job fair in the near future!”
Fortunately, businesses don’t need to wait until the next Job Fair to find their next employee. The Chamber’s free online Job Board is free for all members, and new jobs are posted daily. The site, which already hosts more than a hundred local job listings, allows employers to post their vacancies and provide detailed listings (job description, employment type, how to apply, etc.) for job seekers.