Neighbor News
Goodwill Manasota hosts 'Trades for Troops' jobs fair
Jobs fair for veterans focuses on trade industries and local employers
Goodwill Manasota will host a Veterans Jobs Fair on Friday, April 3, from 9am to 2pm at the Goodwill Corporate Campus ( 2705 51st Ave. East, Bradenton). The event will cater specifically to veterans looking for work and experience in trade industries including plumbing, air conditioning and heating, electrical, and landscaping.
“We are seeing a trend of local employers who are willing to invest in hiring veterans and we are optimistic that this trend will continue,” said C.J. Bannister, Goodwill Manasota director of Veterans Services. “Through job fairs geared towards veterans and specific industries or trades, we hope to match these prospective employers with the veterans in our community who are eager to find jobs.”
In recent years, the need for skilled tradesmen and women has been on the increase and many local companies have openings for trained individuals. Additionally, Goodwill team members in the Job Connection and Veterans Services Programs have learned through partnering with area businesses that many employers are actively looking to hire veterans. While many of the trades require an apprenticeship or some type of entry position before training can begin, once a candidate has been hired they become eligible for training and, ultimately, higher pay.
A number of local companies have signed up for the jobs fair, including Aqua Plumbing and Air, Veteran Air, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Bloomings Landscape and Turf Management, and Cool Today, Plumbing Today & Energy Today.
“Helping our veterans gain an understanding of benefits, learn what is available to them in our community and obtain steady employment have been priorities of our Veterans Services Program,” said Bob Rosinsky, president & CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “We appreciate our community leaders and local business owners who are committed to hiring veterans; this jobs fair is a way to showcase the opportunities available to them. This is another way we are changing lives through the power of work.”
PHOTO ID: Participants at a recent Goodwill job fair learn more about Goodwill’s Job Connection, a free employment service
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2014, Goodwill Manasota served more than 16,000 people, placed 680 people in jobs and assisted 520 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 39 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota in essence belongs to this community, and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.
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