Local residents dressed to impress today as they either applied for jobs with on-the-spot interviews or inquired about opportunities at the Southwest Community Center in Syracuse. Build To Work Program Coordinator Twiggy Billue says the majority of companies are looking to hire for retail and customer service jobs.
“So those jobs that are traditionally starting to fill up between August and September, getting ready for the seasonal shopping and some of the holidays that are coming up. We decided to focus on those areas that were actually looking to hire people right now.”
Billue adds that the retail industry fuels the economy. Getting the right skills and job experiences through the program has allowed 18 year-old Shamsi Muhina to work her way up to a mid-level paying job within two years. She came to the U.S. from Kenya.
“I just wanted to be in my own little corner and just to be left alone, but being in that program made me turn into the person that I am today. I’m outgoing now, speaking more.”
She now uses her those skills daily as a Customer Service Representative at the Sutherland Group.
“We make appointments for customers. We handle issues and transfer them to support when we need to if they have any other issues.”
Billue explains that the Build To Work program is geared to lift people out of poverty.
“Helping someone overcome some of the obstacles that they may have living in an impoverished neighborhood is just one of the ways that we look at this job fair.”
More information about the program is available online at Jubilee-homes.org.