Just as the economy is remembering the good old days, job fairs seem like just what the doctor ordered.
Queens College has answered the call by scheduling a job fair towards the end of the month. The Employment and Vocational Supports Fair will be held on October 24th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Queens College Student Union Building, 4th floor.
Diana Ritter, commissioner of the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (O.M.R.D.D.) spoke of the benefits that the state will soon experience.
“This is a very exciting initiative because it will open up new vistas of opportunity for people who are dedicated and possess skills that can help companies grow here in New York,” said Commissioner Ritter. “Everyone comes out a winner - particularly the businesses and the people being hired.”
The event is being coordinated by the Bernard Fineson Developmental Disabilities Services Office (D.D.S.O.), the regional center for O.M.R.D.D. programs in Queens, with assistance from Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Office for People with Disabilities and the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
Executive Vice President of the Queens Chamber of Commerce Jack Friedman emphasized the importance of such a job fair.
“There are many people ready, willing and able to work who are stigmatized as developmentally disabled. The Queens Chamber recognizes that these adults can be productive members of the workforce, and the businesses that employ them can also benefit through numerous financial incentives and tax credit programs that come with these workers. Being involved with a job fair like this one is not only the right thing to do, but a smart thing to do,” Friedman said.
Various Queens community organizations which support people with developmental disabilities will make information available that will help companies learn how they can hire people with skill sets consistent with their job requirements.
“We will have an abundance of information available to explain the many incentives and benefits that exist for employers when they hire people with developmental disabilities,” Commissioner Ritter said.
“The goal is to put people to work and help them lead productive, independent lives,” Ritter continued, “and help the companies at the same time by finding qualified candidates for available positions.”
Queens College’s Student Union Building is located at 65-30 Kissena Boulevard in Flushing. For more information concerning the job fair, call Christine Buschborn at 718-217-5534.
