These virtual job fairs not only benefit talented yet often overlooked job seekers and inclusive employers, but will now begin to help the new 7% hiring goal for federal contractors. - Ken Skord, AbilityLinks director
Wheaton, IL (PRWEB) September 18, 2013
AbilityLinks.org, the award-winning job opportunity website that was created in 2001 to influence disability and employment-related practices and hiring of people with disabilities, will host its final virtual job fair of the year beginning October 8. All job seekers with disabilities and employers that value disability diversity are invited to participate during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“AbilityLinks has hosted numerous job fairs over the last few years because they are dynamic and accessible for almost anywhere,” explain Ken Skord, AbilityLinks program director. “These virtual job fairs not only benefit talented yet often overlooked job seekers and inclusive employers, but will now begin to help the new 7% hiring goal for federal contractors. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced a final rule that prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against individuals with disabilities, and requires these employers to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain these individuals. More information on this new hiring goal is available on AbilityLinks.org.”
The virtual job fair, which is free to both job seekers and employers, will match talented job seekers with disabilities to employment opportunities from entry level to technical and professional. The online recruiting event is accessible 24-hours a day, from Tuesday, October 8 through Thursday, October 10. Registration for this popular event is underway and sponsorship opportunities are available.
Skord and his team offer support to job seekers, employers, and service providers by creating connections which promote a more inclusive workforce. “As of August 2013, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 14.1%, double the unemployment rate for non-disabled individuals,” Skord says. “Employers and service providers can positively impact this rate by participating in our virtual job fairs and networking with this talented workforce.”
Exhibiting employers will receive a virtual booth, company profile page and unlimited job postings with links to their preferred online application page. Job seekers will be able to post various styles of their resume, tailoring them to specific areas of interest and submit their resumes directly to employers. Job seekers and employers will also have the opportunity to connect in live chat sessions.
AbilityLinks also offers a mentoring program which connects job seekers with an established working professional for input and encouragement in their job search. Job seekers and employers that are interested in exhibiting at or sponsoring the AbilityLinks job fair may register by clicking on the Virtual Job Fair link on http://www.AbilityLinks.org.
About AbilityLinks.org
Every day, thousands of individuals join America’s fastest growing labor pool - Persons with Disabilities. Now in its eleventh year, AbilityLinks, the free, nationwide program of Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, works each day to match qualified individuals to employers that embrace diversity. The program has assisted hundreds of these individuals find employment. Embrace diversity. Employ persons with disabilities.