Afro Tech: Josh Rodgers | May 31, 2022
Philadelphia area job seekers will have the opportunity to get a bag while leveling up their careers. REFORM Alliance and Hire! Philly will host the “REFORM Alliance Philadelphia Job Fair” at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, June 9.
While this job fair aims to get people employed, the more profound mission is to help revitalize Philadelphia’s workforce and economy.
Making Progress In The City
The job fair is scheduled to run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Open to the public, REFORM Alliance hopes to use this event as a pathway for economic opportunity, specifically for formerly incarcerated individuals, single parents, and veterans. The hiring event will also allow people to tap into resources that assist with poverty alleviation, continued workforce development, and expungement aid.
REFORM Alliance recently released a report in collaboration with the Fines and Fees Justice Center showing that two of every three people on probation make less than $20,000 per year, with nearly 40 percent of those making less than $10,000 annually. Philadelphia’s numbers are more drastic after a tumultuous recovery over the last two years.
“People need jobs to provide for themselves and support their families. Yet too many Philadelphians are locked out of the economy because of their criminal history or other barriers,” said Jessica Jackson, Chief Advocacy Officer of REFORM Alliance. “This job fair is an opportunity to break down those barriers and help anyone trying to get back on their feet. We have an amazing group of partners, volunteers and employers ready to make this a one stop shop for a better future.”
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Philadelphia’s unemployment rate is down to 4.8 percent as of April 2022. This rate is a significant decrease from the skyrocketing rate the city experienced at the onset of COVID-19 when the unemployment rate reached a high of 16.2 percent.
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