Urban League Employment Fair Creates Better Shot at Success for Hundreds in Broward

More than 600 people attended an employment fair on June 15 organized by the Urban League of Broward County, indicating a need for good paying local jobs even though the unemployment rate in Broward County has dropped significantly in recent years.

Job seekers, ages 16 and older, looked for career opportunities from close to 40 leading local employers, including Broward College, Walgreens, Walmart, MD NOW, Toyota, Macy’s, and many other companies.

Before the employment fair started, job-hunters received employment readiness training like what to say during an interview. They also used the Urban League’s computer lab to update and print out their resumes.

The Urban League hosts similar employment fairs four times a year as part of the agency’s commitment to helping local residents find quality jobs and improve the economy. Broward County’s unemployment rate of 4.2 percent (in April) is lower than Florida’s rate of 5.5 (in April), but the rate is much higher for African-American workers, both locally and statewide, who have suffered the most in the economic downturn.

“These employment fairs have helped many people in our community find good jobs,” said Germaine Smith-Baugh, president and CEO of Urban League of Broward County. “Our role at the Urban League is to create opportunities for people to gain new skills and advance their career skills, and that’s what these employment fairs are all about – giving our community a better shot at success.”