With 5.5 million young Americans not working and not in school, the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, a coalition of 40 top U.S. companies, today announced plans to expand its national youth hiring movement to Seattle beginning with a job fair on May 5 at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field Event Center.
Hiring managers from Alaska Airlines, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Delaware North, Dominos, Evolution Fresh, FedEx, Hilton, HMSHost, Hyatt, JCPenney, Leisure Care, Lyft, Macy’s, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Panda Express, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Red Robin, Republic Services, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Target, Teavana, T-Mobile, Ulta Beauty, Walgreens, and Walmart will be at the Seattle Opportunity Fair.
Together, they will interview hundreds of youth in an effort to connect many of King County’s estimated 50,593* Opportunity Youth – 16- to 24-year-olds who are disconnected from employment and education – to meaningful job opportunities and a pathway to success. The event will also kick-start a long-term effort in partnership with many of the region’s leading businesses, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and civic leaders to employ thousands of local youth, accelerating the coalition’s national goal to hire at least 100,000 opportunity youth by 2018.
“We’re thrilled to partner with so many respected brands and give young people the opportunity to thrive and grow in today’s economy,” said Brad Tilden, CEO of Alaska Airlines. “Building work-related skills and gaining solid work experience will prepare today’s youth for the future and strengthen our community.”
The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative’s work in Seattle will build on the success of similar hiring efforts in Chicago, Phoenix and Los Angeles. To date, more than 25,000 youth have found jobs, internships or higher education opportunities through the participating companies, of which 2,300 received on-the spot offers at the three hiring fairs. The coalition will look to host more than 1,500 youth at the Seattle Opportunity Fair May 5. Participating companies expect to make hundreds of immediate job offers, as they did in the other cities.
“The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative has provided Nordstrom with a unique forum to connect and establish relationships with our next generation of employees, customers and community leaders,” said Jamie Nordstrom, President of Stores, Nordstrom. “At the first three events we were fortunate to meet, and even hire on the spot, some fantastic young people and introduce them to Nordstrom as a great place to start a career. We’re looking forward to another inspiring event here in our hometown of Seattle.”
For more information and details: http://100kopportunities.org/seattle/
