During a time that is known as the “death of retail”, shopping districts and cities are working on creative ways to bring community members, hiring managers, and job seekers together to learn about what the retail industry has to offer as a consumer, employer, and employee. Port Jobs’ Center for Onboarding and Advancement in Retail (COAR) will be hosting a job fair at Westfield Southcenter on Sept. 13in the Macy’s Court from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm. This is an opportunity for job seekers in the community to come and learn about entry-level opportunities from retailers in the area. Job seekers will also be able to interact with Port Jobs representatives regarding their career goals and development. Hiring managers that are seeking great talent are encouraged to register to participate at the fair.
Denise Nicole Johnson, Port Jobs’ Career & Education Navigator, benefited substantially from the opportunities Port Jobs has to offer. While possessing the desire to pursue higher education, Johnson was concerned about being able to afford tuition while taking care of her children. Thanks to a scholarship through Port Jobs and success in her first two classes, Denise received more funding and support through various services seeking to increase the financial stability of low-income families by providing bundled supports to community college students. One student shared, “Thank you Denise for your encouragement, support, resourcefulness, and gentle nudges to be the BEST that I can be!” Thanks to the work she does working in Port Jobs, she has been able to reach and impact individuals in the community who will benefit greatly from attending the job fair.
The PNW Future of Retail Summit will be heldin conjunction with the job fair. The summit is on Fri., Sept. 13, 11:00 am – 1:30 pm, at the DoubleTree Southcenter in Tukwila and will include a buffet lunch. In addition to the lunch and panel discussion, guests will have an opportunity to ask questions directly from our panel of experts as well as network with a diverse pool of attendees. Lisa Bridge, President of Ben Bridge Jewelers, will deliver a keynote to kick off this event. University of Washington School of Business, Washington Retail Association, and Nordstrom at Southcenter are some of the organizations partnering on the event.
“Retail is booming in Southcenter! The Center for Onboarding and Advancement in Retail (COAR) works with employers, workers, and jobseekers to build global community through retail in South King County,” said Christine Gill Young, director of Port Jobs’ COAR initiative. “Come hear more from regional retail leaders about what works and what’s new in today’s retail sector.”
Who Should Attend the Summit?
- Government leaders concerned about staying competitive in the changing retail marketplace
- Commercial property managers interested in learning how to draw traffic and get people to spend
- Retailers interested in learning about the integration of brick and mortar and e-commerce
- Anyone interested in learning about the changing retail economy
“For over 50 years, Tukwila has been a leader in Washington’s retail environment,” said Tukwila’s Mayor Allan Ekberg. “The future is bright in Southcenter and we are excited to bring this event to Tukwila’s Southcenter District and showcase how the City is working to remain competitive in the retail sector.”
This event is sponsored by the City of Tukwila and Port Jobs COAR. The number of retailers that can participate in the job fair is limited. For more information about participating in the Job Fair, email Denise Nicole Johnson, Port Jobs Career and Education Navigator, at johnson.d@portseattle.org
