In A Tough Job Market, CBA Helps Get Kids Off To A Good Start

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Melinda Kelly, executive director, Chatham Business Association speaks to youth during the CBA Job Readiness Workshop. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)
Melinda Kelly, executive director, Chatham Business Association speaks to youth during the CBA Job Readiness Workshop. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)

by Thelma Sardin

Preparing the future for the futurethat was the goal of a recent workshop sponsored this past Saturday by the Chatham Business Association (CBA) on Chicagos South side.

With unemployment at an all-time high, job fairs like these are helping to fill the gap in an economy where prospects for employment, including among youth, are grim.

The goal of the workshop was to reach out to area youth to prepare them for jobs while much of the time spent this weekend was to provide coaching skills theyll need towards their overall career success and development.

The CBA Juniors Employment Workshop, which is in its fourth year, was held in West Chatham at ICE Theaters, 210 West 87th Street. Attendance at the employment workshop was mandatory if students have plans to attend the CBA Juniors Job Fair on June 25th. The job fair will also be held at ICE Theaters.

The workshop assisted young people between the ages of 16 to 18; although normally the group targets jobseekers ranging in age from 14-24. For those entering the job market, its imperative that they are prepared for the workforce and that they are able to remain employed after they land a job, Melinda Kelly, executive director, of the CBA said.

Getting the job is one part, keeping it is very important as well, she said. Kelly also told the students that the only way they will be successful is by challenging themselves. To grow, you really have to push yourself beyond your comfort zone, she said.

Topics covered included general hygiene & nutrition tips, financial literacy, as well as construction & union apprenticeships. Students who participate will be exposed to several businesses and career development agencies which will be present at the job fair. Companies like Best Buy, Walgreens, Jewel Osco, Chicago Area Project and Opportunity Advancement Innovation in Workforce Development (OAI) are all planning to attend.

Sean Phillips, program coordinator for OAIs Minority Worker Training program gave the students advice on the importance of using good communications skills.

Speak up and speak loudly, he said. Phillips added that employers are interested in candidates that are confident and professional.

Phillips also stressed to the students that employers observe their employees actions. Please be aware that you are constantly being watched. Your employer is constantly watching you. When you think he or she is not watching you, they are watching you. As an example, Phillips said participants of the Minority Worker Training program are evaluated for fifteen weeks and at times, some apprentices lose focus. As a result, at the end of the program those individuals are not selected for job placement.

In addition, workshop attendees were reminded that although jobs are not guaranteed from Saturdays job fair, individual efforts play a role in getting hired by an employer.

No one can guarantee you a job. We can bring it to you, only you can seal the deal, said Kelly. She added that personality is an important factor in piquing an employers interest to hire. It really is about how much you want it and how much you are able to communicate that through your spirit, posture and communication, she said.

Ashley Chrisman, a CBA intern coordinating the job fair said the organization decided to start the annual job fair out of need.

We saw the youth were having difficulties finding employment for the summer; so were basically an aid to help the students have something productive [to] do for the summer.

Chrisman added that about ninety students are registered for the job fair and the CBA is looking forward to helping each of them. She also discussed the workshops importance prior to the job fair.

Youd be surprised at how many students dont have proper business etiquette. [Some] dont know what they should say during an interview and how they should dress. We really need to implement that and help the students understand that there [is] a proper protocol for getting a job.

Job readiness is essential in gaining employment, she said. If you are not prepared, then you are not going to get the job, so we have these workshops to help prepare the youth so they will have a step ahead.

Lisette Livingston contributed to this story.

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