JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!

BROOKLYN JOB FAIR APRIL 13:

BP MARKOWITZ ANNOUNCES MAJOR EVENT FOR JOB SEEKERS

Free fair at Long Island University to feature nearly 80 employers offering hundreds of available positions

On Tuesday, April 5, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Robert W. Walsh to announce details of the Brooklyn Job Fair, to be held on Wednesday, April 13 (10:00am to 3:00pm) at Long Island University's Arnold and Marie Schwartz Athletic Center at 1 University Plaza in Downtown Brooklyn. The event is free and open to the public. Among those joining BP Markowitz and Commissioner Walsh at Borough Hall were John Moye of the New York State Department of Labor, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Carl Hum and representatives from Volunteers of America Greater New York and Equinox.

"Like everywhere else in the country, Brooklyn is feeling the effects of this economic downturn," said BP Markowitz. "We're been here before and we know we'll get through this. But in the meantime, those of us in government have a special responsibility to do everything we can to get people working again. Jobs are 'job one'--and jobs two and three. So believe me when I say that what Brooklyn and New York City need to get back on track are jobs, jobs, jobs."

"Thank you to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Long Island University for organizing this job fair," said New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Robert Walsh. "It will be a boost to both employers and job seekers in the borough. Last year our Brooklyn Workforce1 Career Center placed more than 5,700 New Yorkers in jobs and we look forward to attending next week's fair to help connect even more New Yorkers to jobs."

"Before you come out on April 13, we ask you to stop in and see us at our one-stop career centers at 9 Bond Street and 625 Fulton Street in Brooklyn," said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Colleen C. Gardner. "We have employment counselors standing by, waiting to help you prepare for this job fair and for other opportunities in the future. Take advantage of our services--they are free and you can come as often as you like."

"Brooklyn is growing by leaps and bounds, and continues to add new businesses and new jobs," said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Carl Hum. "This job fair couldn't come at a better time for Brooklynites as there is so much momentum in the borough--businesses are hiring."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Brooklyn had the second highest employment increase among the nation's largest counties between June 2009 and June 2010, but the jobless rate in Kings County remains well above the national and state average with more then 10 percent of Brooklynites--and in some neighborhoods, even higher numbers--out of work. Citywide, the unemployment rate held steady at 8.9 percent in February.

The Brooklyn Job Fair is presented by BP Markowitz in partnership with Citi, ResCare, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, the New York State Department of Labor, and Workforce1 with the New York City Department of Small Business Services.

For more information on the Brooklyn Job Fair and a complete list of participating employers, visit www.brooklyn-usa.org/jobs .

In photo (left to right): Jessica Kayser, general manager, Equinox Fitness; Catalina Castano, executive director, Small Business Development Center; Rachel Weinstein, director of communications, Volunteers of America; Carl Hum, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce president; John Moye, New York City regional representative, New York State Department of Health; BP Markowitz (at podium); Keith Rasmussen, director, ResCare; Lynne Plavnick, VP of human resources, Volunteers of America; Robert Walsh, commissioner, New York City Department of Small Business Services; Edward Odom, VP of community development, Citi; Miriam Colon, business advisor, Small Business Development Center