WHS to hold ‘Career Fair’

WOONSOCKET — Community Care Alliance and Riverzedge Arts in collaboration with Connecting for Children & Families are hoping to help hundreds of students at Woonsocket High School plan their future, but they need the help of local employers who can give students a handson look at career opportunities.

The Woonsocket High School Career Fair, which is being resurrected after a hiatus, will be held Wednesday, March 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m at the high school, 777 Cass Avenue.

“The school hasn’t had a career fair in a few years so we decided to take the initiative,” said Zachary Larivee, expanded learning program coordinator at Riverzedge.

Presented with support from

the RI Governor’s Workforce Board Real Pathways Initiative, the career fair will be an opportunity to connect students with prospective employers and help them expand their networks, polish interview skills, learn industry information, and gather information about companies.

Larivee says employers from all industries our welcome to register for the event, but especially those identified as Rhode Island’s Growth Industries, which include biomedical innovation; IT software, cyber-physical systems and data analytics, defense, shipbuilding and maritime; advanced business services; design, food, and custom manufacturing; arts, education, hospitality and tourism, transportation, distribution and logistics.

Any company or business who would like to register to participate in the career fair can type in “2019 Woonsocket Career Fair” on eventbrite.com, or contact Larivee at zach.riverzedgearts@gmail.com.

Real Pathways RI is a new workforce de-

velopment initiative that supports partnerships between and among public, private, and nonprofit agencies that focus on serving populations with traditional barriers to employment (ex. veterans, homeless, long-term unemployed) or regions of the state with above average concentrations of poverty or unemployment. Led by a lead convener, these partners will collaborate to provide workforce development services that are demand-driven, linked to the larger workforce development network, and designed to maximize the opportunities for middle class employment.

In June 2017, the Governor’s Workforce Board awarded 14 Real Pathways RI awards to partnerships serving a number of target populations and regions. Unemployment and earnings among many of the populations being targeted (long term unemployed, veterans, non-English speakers, homeless, individuals without a high school degree, and others) far exceed the state average for all workers. Partnerships will work together to provide career services, support services, training, and job placement to help place these individuals into employment.