As part of an attempt to ease unemployment among young blacks, U.S. Rep Robin Kelly plans to hold a job fair April 16 at Thornton Township High School in Harvey.
Kelly is hosting the third annual Youth Job and Resource Expo to help people ages 15 to 24 find jobs, mostly summer ones. The fair is scheduled 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the school at 15001 Broadway Ave.
The event comes on the heels of recent grim news reports on unemployment in the area. Nearly 40 percent of black 20-24-year-olds were both out of work and out of school in Cook County in 2014, according to a recent report released by the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Several south suburbs have been particularly hit hard. A jobless rate of more than 60 percent of 20-to-24 years olds was reported in several suburbs, such as Harvey, Markham, Hazel Crest, Sauk Village and Ford Heights.
“We’ll be able to directly connect young people with employers with active summer job openings, internship opportunities and programs that will empower young people with the skills they need to succeed,” said Kelly in a statement. “A summer job not only offers an opportunity to earn money, it develops work skills and provides access to role models and future employers. A summer job can also inspire a young person to pursue an unimagined career path. We’re looking forward to opening all those doors for as many young people as we can.”
More than 40 companies and agencies will be accepting applications for job openings, summer internships and apprenticeships at the fair. Some employers will interview candidates on the spot.
This year’s participants include Chase Bank, Illinois Department of Transportation and Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.
Kelly, a Matteson Democrat who represents the 2nd Congressional District, recently held two job fairs in Chicago.
More Top Picks Best Tablets For Autistic Adults