By Eve Tahmincioglu
msnbc.com
Last week, a 43-page dress and grooming code at Swiss bank UBS was leaked to the media, and the rules included everything from touching up hair dye jobs to the quality of an employee’s underwear.
While there was outrage over the draconian nature of the guidelines, such appearance mandates are becoming more prevalent in the workplace.
Restrictions on the way workers dress and groom themselves have long been a contentious issue in the nation’s workplaces, but in most cases such guidelines have been found to be legal. And the rules governing employee appearance are only getting tougher thanks to the weaker economy.
“Dress codes are tightening up,” said Dick Lerner, author of “Dress Like The Big Fish.” “The takeaway from this recession is the reality most firms are doing more with less. For survival, there has been a lot of belt-tightening and companies look at every aspect of their business, and that includes who will keep their job and who won’t,” he said.
As a result, Lerner added, “Sloppy dress in the workplace is gone. Businesses can’t afford sloppy dress, sloppy work, sloppy attitude.”
Indeed, some firms are ratcheting up the fashion police.
UBS got a lot of negative publicity when its 43-page dress-and-grooming edict got out. The over-the-top rules included restrictions on the length of male employees’ nails; when female employees are supposed to put on perfume and how much; and they even mandated the color of worker underwear and said the undergarments should be “of superior quality textiles,” according to a report in the Christian Science Monitor last week. (UBS officials declined to comment for this column.)
Lindsey Sparks’ last job with a staffing firm in Oklahoma City had a restrictive dress code policy that required female employees to wear skirt suits and pantyhose at all times, even if they worked on weekends. And there was even a manager at the company that chastised workers for not wearing lipstick.
“Their dress code was so sexist I’m not sure why I put up with it as long as I did,” said Sparks, who left Express Employment Professionals in June after eight years with the company.
“Although I left the company amicably,” Sparks said. “I’m still appalled by the dress code.”
Read more here...
A blog to inform Pittsburgh area jobseekers and recruiters about Pittsburgh job news, advice and happenings around the 'burgh concerning the job market especially pertaining to the hourly, blue collar, entry level to mid level skilled positions. We speak with hundreds of Human Resource people, business owners and department heads every week giving us a firm finger on the pulse of the Pittsburgh Job Market.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Are You Unemployed And Having trouble Finding A Job?
Join a Carnegie Mellon University research study testing the effects of a 3-day mindfulness meditation or relaxation retreat on reducing your stress levels.
- 24 to 52 years of age
- right-handed
- in good mental and physical health
- available for a 3-day residential retreat
You will be compensated for participating in this study.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL (412) 268 – 8761OR EMAIL cmuhealthyliving@gmail.com
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
CareersInGear.com Now The Largest Driver/Mechanic Job Board in North America
With over 300,000 unique visitors per month, CareersInGear.com has become the main resource for the truckiing industry to recruit drivers and mechanics.
As the stringent safety requirements of the federal government's CSA 2010 take effect this January 1st, companies will be held accountable for the safety records of their drivers, possibly resulting in thousands of current drivers losing their jobs due to safety or health reasons.
This, along with the current shortage of drivers nationwide now estimated at over 150,000, will make recruiting and hiring drivers more difficult.
For job seekers who haven't before considered getting a commercial drivers license (CDL) this is an opportunity to find employment that pays well ($40,000 to $75,000 per year) and offers great benefits like healthcare and retirement plans.
Job seekers can go to www.CareersInGear.com to search current openings while recruiters can call 412-257-7801 for more information on recruitment programs.
As the stringent safety requirements of the federal government's CSA 2010 take effect this January 1st, companies will be held accountable for the safety records of their drivers, possibly resulting in thousands of current drivers losing their jobs due to safety or health reasons.
This, along with the current shortage of drivers nationwide now estimated at over 150,000, will make recruiting and hiring drivers more difficult.
For job seekers who haven't before considered getting a commercial drivers license (CDL) this is an opportunity to find employment that pays well ($40,000 to $75,000 per year) and offers great benefits like healthcare and retirement plans.
Job seekers can go to www.CareersInGear.com to search current openings while recruiters can call 412-257-7801 for more information on recruitment programs.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Payrolls grow by 151,000 in October. Jobless Rate remaines at 9.6%
U.S. added jobs for first time since May
August and September revised up a combined 110,000 jobs
More than doubling predictions, Economists had predicted 70,000 to 100,000 jobs added. Strength was primarily in the service sector, as manufacturing lost 7,000 jobs although manufacturing work weeks and pay both increased.
While positive news, many more jobs will have to be added per month to start reducing the unemployment rate. See more details here.
August and September revised up a combined 110,000 jobs
More than doubling predictions, Economists had predicted 70,000 to 100,000 jobs added. Strength was primarily in the service sector, as manufacturing lost 7,000 jobs although manufacturing work weeks and pay both increased.
While positive news, many more jobs will have to be added per month to start reducing the unemployment rate. See more details here.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Pittsburgh Unemployment Rate Drops To 7.9% in September
First time since 2007 no year over year increase
HARRISBURG (NOVEMBER 2) – The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the seven-county Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was down three-tenths of a percentage point in September to 7.9 percent. The MSA’s rate was 1.1 percentage points below Pennsylvania’s rate (9.0%). The last time the Pittsburgh MSA rate was that far below the state rate was June 1978. The area rate was also lower than the national rate of 9.6 percent. The Pittsburgh MSA’s unemployment rate matched last September’s rate. This was the first time since November 2007 that the area rate did not show an over-the-year increase.
Unemployment rates decreased from August in six of the seven counties in the Pittsburgh MSA. Butler County posted the lowest rate in the MSA at 7.4 percent while Fayette County held the area’s highest rate at 9.6 perent. Among Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, unemployment rates ranged from 6.1 percent in Centre County to 14.3 percent in Cameron County.
In September, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs in the Pittsburgh MSA declined 800 to 1,118,100. Jobs fell in nine of Pennsylvania’s 14 MSAs. Over the year, Pittsburgh MSA jobs increased by 4,800 (0.4%) and the state added 34,500 jobs (0.6%).
Goods-producing jobs in the Pittsburgh MSA declined 500 in September to 147,600. Manufacturing was down 200, the smallest September decrease for the supersector since 1999.
Goods producers added 800 jobs from last September. Mining & logging was up 500 jobs over the year (9.1%). Manufacturing continued to show an over-the-year decline, but it has been consistently shrinking since last September.
Service-providing jobs were up 9,300 from August. The majority of this increase was due to seasonal education-related gains. Education & health services, state government, and local government all added jobs as the new academic year began. Seasonal declines occurred in retail trade, professional & business services, leisure & hospitality, and other services. The federal government decline of 500 was due mainly to the census nearing completion.
Service providers had 6,200 more jobs than in September 2009. Education & health services and professional & business services experienced the largest over-the-year gains in the area.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Pittsburgh Diversity Employment Expo Attacts over 1,300 Jobseekers
With over 70 companies offering jobs ranging from entry level to advanced degree over 1,300 job seekers flooded CONSOL Energy Center on October 26th. The largest public job fair in over four years in Pittsburgh was produced by Pittsburgh's office of EmploymentGuide.com in partnership with The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Dept. of Veteran's Affairs and AARP Foundation WorkSearch.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Marsellus Shale Jobs And Much More Come To CONSOL Energy Center In Pittsburgh
Atlas Energy, Range Resources, EnergyForce, Express Energy Services and Duncan Land + Energy have signed up for the Pittsburgh Diversity Employment Expo on October 26th at CONSOL Energy Center bringing Marcellus Shale jobs to the Pittsburgh region. With positions such as land technicians, drilling engineers, geologists, roustabouts and many more available this is a great opportunity for Pittsburgh area residents to investigate job requirements and training opportunities as well as application processes and to make that first great impression. The job fair is free for all job seekers and open from 10:00AM to 3:00PM
Over 70 companies and schools areattending offering 100's of jobs in a wide variety of experience levels and industries. Pittsburgh's largest public job fair in over 4 years will also offer jobs in Banking/Finance, Customer Service, Retail, Sales, Healthcare, Nursing, Social Services, Manufacturing, Drivers and much more. Job seekers can pre-register here (pre- registration is not required but offers faster job fair entry). Sorry, no backpacks or strollers allowed.
Over 70 companies and schools areattending offering 100's of jobs in a wide variety of experience levels and industries. Pittsburgh's largest public job fair in over 4 years will also offer jobs in Banking/Finance, Customer Service, Retail, Sales, Healthcare, Nursing, Social Services, Manufacturing, Drivers and much more. Job seekers can pre-register here (pre- registration is not required but offers faster job fair entry). Sorry, no backpacks or strollers allowed.
84 Lumber (management trainees, IT and more)
Achieva (nursing, allied health)
Aerotek/Allegis Group (IT and more)
Aldi's (retail, supervisors)
All-State Career School
Aramark CONSOL Energy Center (hospitality)
Arc Human Services (social services)
Army National Guard
Atlas Energy (landmen, geologists and more)
Bank of America
Baptist Homes (nursing, allied health)
Bradford Child Care / Tender Care Learning Centers (childcare, instructors)
CBCInnovis (sales, customer service)
CBCS (sales, customer service)
Cardworks Servicing (customer service, collections)
Community College of Allegheny County
Cintas (sales, production)
Citizen Care, Inc (social services)
City of Pittsburgh (various)
Colonial Life (sales)
Concordia of the South Hills (nursing, allied health)
Dollar Bank (tellers, supervisors, financial services)
Duncan Land + Energy (leasing agents and more)
EnergyForce (Training programs for gas/oil industry, landmen)
Everest Institute
Express Employment Professionals (various, office/clerical)
Express Energy Services/ EES (gas/oil)
Face 2 Face Sales Solutions (sales)
First National Bank of PA (tellers, supervisors, financial services)
Gallagher Home Health Services (hone healthcare, various)
Geneva College
Glade Run Lutheran Services (nursing, therapists, allied health)
Goodwill
Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council
HVL Douglas, LLC (manufacturing, production workers)
Institute for Transfusion Med./Central Blood Bank (phlebotomists, more)
Kaplan Career Institute
Life Pittsburgh (nursing, allied health)
Lifesteps, Inc. (support staff)
Mainstay Life Services (social services, support staff)
Medix Staffing Solutions (all healthcare)
Mercy Behavioral Health (social services, therapists, more)
StoneMor Partners/Mt. Lebanon Cemetery (sales)
New Horizons Computer Learning Center
Parkvale Bank (tellers, supervisors, financial services)
Pennsylvania CareerLink (various)
People's Natural Gas (various)
Pittsburgh Job Corp Center
Pittsburgh Tech. Institute-PTI
PRC Corporation (sales, customer service)
Primerica (financial services, sales)
Prudential Financial (financial services, sales)
Quest Diagnostics (various)
Range Resources - Appalachia (gas/oil)
RAS Delivery Services (drivers)
Reliance First Capital LLC ((financial services, sales)
Renewal, Inc
Sanford Brown School
SMG Management (ushers, more)
South Hills / North Hills Beauty Academy
Southwestern Pa Commission CommuteInfo
Southwood Psychiatric Hospital (social services, nursing, more)
The Academy (teachers, more)
Three Rivers Center for Independent Living (TRCL) (nursing, allied healthcare)
Transitional Service Inc (social services)
TRG Customer Solutions (customer service, sales)
US Army
U.S. Liner (manufacturing, production workers)
US Navy
VA Pittsburgh Health system (all healthcare and support)
Vector Marketing (sales)
Waste Management, Inc (drivers, mechanics)
Westin Convention Center (hospitality, hotel workers)
Companies who want more information on attending the job fair please email pittsburghjobs@gmail.com
Friday, September 24, 2010
Pittsburgh Diversity Employment Expo Moves to CONSOL Energy Center October 26th
After dozens of successful job fairs over the past 10 years at Mellon Arena, Heinz field and PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Diversity Employment Expo is moving to CONSOL Energy Center with the next event slated for Tuesday, October 26th, 2010.
Produced by the Pittsburgh office of EmploymentGuide.com, in association with The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, Over 30,000 job seekers have attended the events with more than 10% getting job offers! Other partners include the Veteran's Affairs borough of Allegheny County and AARP Foundation WorkSearch.
The job fair is free for all job seekers and will be open from 10:00AM to 3:00PM. Entry is through the Trib Total Media gate then up the escalators to the right.
More than 50 companies and schools are expected to attend and include sales, customer service, hospitality, Healthcare and Nursing, social services, manufacturing, banking/finance and more.
A list of companies and schools attending will be published here about two weeks out from the event. Companies who want more information on attending the job fair please email pittsburghjobs@gmail.com
Produced by the Pittsburgh office of EmploymentGuide.com, in association with The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, Over 30,000 job seekers have attended the events with more than 10% getting job offers! Other partners include the Veteran's Affairs borough of Allegheny County and AARP Foundation WorkSearch.
The job fair is free for all job seekers and will be open from 10:00AM to 3:00PM. Entry is through the Trib Total Media gate then up the escalators to the right.
More than 50 companies and schools are expected to attend and include sales, customer service, hospitality, Healthcare and Nursing, social services, manufacturing, banking/finance and more.
A list of companies and schools attending will be published here about two weeks out from the event. Companies who want more information on attending the job fair please email pittsburghjobs@gmail.com
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Pittsburgh Loses Jobs In July (but fewer than in "typical" July)
The July unemployment figures just released show that Pittsburgh lost just over 15,000 jobs in July. On the surface this is bad news. However, when looking at historical numbers, Pittsburgh ALWAYS loses jobs in July as teachers and other government workers are laid off for the summer (with census workers adding even more to this number than usual). Pittsburgh lost fewer jobs this July than the past five year July average.
For more detail visit http://bit.ly/bwnvBS
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Pittsburgh Metro Sees Unemployment Rate Drop and Jobs Increase in June
For the long term unemployed in the Pittsburgh Metro area the June unemployment report is bittersweet. For our area, the unemployment rate dropped from 8.6% in May to 8.3%, while adding 7,700 jobs. The good news is this represents almost 4,000 more jobs than one year ago.
While good news for area economists, who see the Pittsburgh Metro getting better through the rest of the year, it is little help to the more than 100,000 residents who couldn't find work. Our sense here at EmploymentGuide.com is that employers are beginning to increase their recruitment activities.
While summer is normally a slow recruitment period in good times, this summer has seen a steadily (albeit slowly) increasing number of job postings as well as inquiries toward near term recruitment plans. Our job fair held recently at Mellon Arena attracted 40 local employers which was the most in two years.
For more details on the job numbers go to the Post Gazette and the Tribune-Review.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Our Favorite Moments At Mellon Arena
The last event at Mellon arena can also be one of the most helpful. On July 13th, The EmploymentGuide.com and the The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh will host a job fair that aims to help the local community get back to an exciting time in their own lives, much like the Mellon Arena has enriched lives over its history.
As we look towards the future of Pittsburgh, today I wanted to take a look back at some of the moments that shaped our lives at Mellon Arena. To do that I asked some of our sales professionals inside the EmploymentGuide.com their favorite moments at the historical arena. Here's what they had to say!
Ed Miles started the conversation by saying his favorite moment was the...
Summer of 1975 - Almond Brothers Concert and they opened the roof to The Civic Arena for the entire concert.....WOW!!
Jack Dibrell says...
...there have been so many. I remember watching Stevie Nicks backstage just seconds before climbing the steps to go onstage for her concert, clutching and holding on for dear life the hands of her backup singers. She was petrified and paralyzed with fear, stage fright, or whatever, but of course once she started her set, she KICKED BUTT!!
Then there were the times I met ZZ Top backstage for 'meet and greets' after their concerts, trying to avoid the temptation of pulling on those long, flowing beards!
Watching summer concerts with the Arena roof FULLY OPENED, and feeling like I was in a completely different venue!
And the few times I announced the halftime entertainment at Arena truck pulls.
Watching my son between periods at a Penguins game goal tend during a 'shootout' against another area amateur hockey team.
Being at Game 7 during the 1993 playoffs against the NY Islanders and LOSING, being eliminated after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups the previous two years!
Judy Hodges chimed in:
This is sad, I have only been to the arena three times in my life , besides all the job fair's we've held there. The first time I went there to see the Barnum Bailey Circus when my children were 5 and 7. That same winter we went to see the ice capades. Both times were very special because of my children (1978!!)
I would have loved to go to the oldies etc. but haven't yet to date. Maybe one of these days. My biggest regret is not seeing it open.
What About You?
What is your favorite moment at Mellon Area? Was it a concert, a Penguins game, a family trip or one of our Pittsburgh job fairs?!
Whatever your favorite moment, we can all say the arena holds special times for all of us and that is why we are so excited to host one last job fair at Mellon. If you want to change your own future and find a new job or career that you can tell your kids, family or future generations about, you can also say you did it at Mellon Arena.
Pre-register for the Pittsburgh Job Fair here and tell us your favorite Mellon Arena moment in the comments below.
-Greg and the Pittsburgh Team
Top image by Talke Photography
July 13th, the Last Public Event at Mellon Arena – Ever!
EmploymentGuide.com® and The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh partner to
sponsor the “2010 Pittsburgh Employment and Career Education Expo”
sponsor the “2010 Pittsburgh Employment and Career Education Expo”
We all know what the first events at the new Consol Energy Center will be. We now know what the very last event at Mellon Arena will be. Appropriately hundreds of Pittsburgh area job seekers will benefit!
As the local economy begins to recover from the worst local downturn since the collapse of the steel mills, EmploymentGuide.com and The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and have combined efforts for the sixth consecutive year to bring jobseekers together with companies who seek their talents.
On Tuesday, July 13th, from 10:00AM to 3:00PM at Mellon Arena more than 35 Pittsburgh area employers and schools, featuring career opportunities from HCR Manorcare and the all new Fairmont Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, will meet and interview hundreds of job seekers at the 2010 Pittsburgh Diversity Employment and Career Education Expo.
Attendance is expected to exceed 1,000 Pittsburgh area residents seeking a new career. Last years 3 events attracted over 4,000 total job seekers and resulted in more than 450 job offers. Job Seekers will enter through gate 10. Attendance for job seekers is free. Pre-registration is not required but if you do pre-register you will enjoy faster access at the start of the event. Go to this link to pre-register: http://bit.ly/9iPC2I
Companies include:
Allied Waste Services - Drivers and Mechanics
TSA Airport Security
Aramark Consol Energy Center
Army National Guard
Callos Companies - Manufacturing, Office/Clerical
CCAC North Campus
Cintas - Sales, Customer Service
City of Pittsburgh
Colonial Life Insurance
Combined Insurance
Fairmont Pittsburgh - Hospitality, Restaurant
Family Resources - Healthcare
First Commonwealth Bank - Tellers and more
Geneva College
Glade Run Lutherin Services - Healthcare, Social Services
Golden Living / Mt. Lebanon - RN's, LPN's, CNA's and more
Kaplan Career Institute
Life Pittsburgh - Allied healthcare
Lifesteps, Inc. - Social Services
Mainstay Life Services - Social Services
Medco Pharmacy Services - Customer Service, Pharmacy Techs and more
HCR/Manorcare - RN's, LPN's, CNA's and more
OK Grocery Co (a division of Giant Eagle) - Warehouse workers
NCO Collection Services - Customer Service
Pennsylvania State Police
Waste Management - Drivers, Mechanics
Pittsburgh Job Corp (Center)
Pittsburgh Tech. Institute-PTI
Prudential Financial - Sales and more
Roomful Express Furniture - Retail, Warehouse, Delivery drivers
SMG Management - Customer service, Ushers, Concessions and more
Southwestern Pa CommuteInfo
Transitional Service Inc -Social Services
Universal Electric Corporation
US Army Recruiting
US Navy
Valvoline - Lube technicians and more
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Wright Automotive Group - Sales, Lot attendents and more
AND MORE!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Pittsburgh Metro Sees More Jobs But Higher Unemployment In April
The Pittsburgh Metro gained 7,300 jobs (seasonally Adjusted) in April; the highest month to month gain since 2001. At the same time, the unemployment rate increased from 8.4 to 8.5% as more job seekers entered/re-entered the job market in the improving economy.
Within the Pittsburgh MSA (metro survey area), five of the counties’ unemployment rates decreased, but the two that increased were enough to make the overall rate edge up. Unemployment rates in the MSA ranged from 7.8 percent in Butler County to 10.2 percent in Fayette County.
Goods producers in the Pittsburgh MSA totaled 143,000 jobs in April, up 5,800 from March. This was the second largest monthly increase for goods-producing industries on record, eclipsed only by a gain of 6,300 in April 1998. All three goods-producing supersectors increased, but the majority of jobs were added in construction due to warmer weather.
Month to month strength was seen across the board, but in particular, in construction, hospitality and business services. A major job index has named Pittsburgh one of the top five stable markets in the country based on the diversity of job makeup that is not relying on only one or two industries to supply a large portion of the metro’s jobs. For more details click here: http://bit.ly/b2l1G2
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Over 500 Summer Jobs Available For Pittsburgh City Youths Age 14 to 21
From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette;
Applications for around 555 summer youth jobs available through the city of Pittsburgh will be accepted starting today, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's office announced Tuesday.
City residents ages 14 to 21 may apply to the Pittsburgh Summer Youth Employment Program. Paid for with federal funds, the program places young people in outdoor work improving parks or vacant lots, or indoor internships with area businesses.
The jobs pay $7.25 an hour for as much as 30 hours per week, from July 6 through Aug. 13.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10132/1057425-53.stm
Applications for around 555 summer youth jobs available through the city of Pittsburgh will be accepted starting today, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's office announced Tuesday.
City residents ages 14 to 21 may apply to the Pittsburgh Summer Youth Employment Program. Paid for with federal funds, the program places young people in outdoor work improving parks or vacant lots, or indoor internships with area businesses.
The jobs pay $7.25 an hour for as much as 30 hours per week, from July 6 through Aug. 13.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10132/1057425-53.stm
Monday, May 3, 2010
Forbes Magazine Names Pittsburgh America’s most Livable City For 2010
Pittsburgh has once again been named America’s Most Livable City, this time by Forbes magazine. Using 5 criteria to rank the top 200 metros, Pittsburgh came in number one on the strength of relatively low unemployment and low crime rates. For the rest of the story go to http://bit.ly/aObeLY
Monday, April 5, 2010
Goodwill Seeks Volunteer Mentors to Help Teens Find and Better Future
Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is looking for adult volunteers who want to help young people overcome disadvantages and avoid delinquency. The effort is part of a new national mentoring program known as Goodwill GoodGuides(tm), designed to help teens finish school and transition into productive careers through the guidance of trusted adults. Currently, over 50 at-risk youth throughout the area have been identified and are waiting on support from the GoodGuidesTM program. Because of this, there is an urgent need for volunteers to offer help for these young people.
"Goodwill has a long history of helping people find work," said Michael J. Smith, Goodwill SWPA President / CEO. "A crucial part of that history is making sure that families are strong. Adults who become Goodwill GoodGuides(tm) will help keep youth who are at-risk get on the right path, stay away from trouble and prepare for a better future."
The program targets youths between the ages of 12 and 17 who are at risk for dropping out of school, facing legal troubles, or at risk for delinquency due to issues such as abuse, disability or drug or alcohol dependence. Its overall goal is to help potentially troubled young people build career plans and skills by providing structured and supportive relationships with trusted adult mentors. Specific goals are improved school attendance and academic scores, high school graduation, career exploration, job shadowing, service learning and financial literacy.
"Goodwill can readily identify many young people who can benefit from this program because of our extensive work with individuals and families with various disadvantages," Mr. Smith said. "Our challenge is to find enough qualified adults who are willing to make a commitment to serve as mentors and to engage at-risk youths in promoting their career development and life skills."
GoodGuides(tm) volunteer mentors must be 21 or older, submit to a background check, and agree to a one-year commitment. They will receive mentor training and be required to communicate weekly with the youths, spend six to eight hours a month with them, and communicate monthly with the Goodwill mentoring specialist.
Mentors from the business community will be asked to share insights into the working world and to help youths explore career challenges and opportunities.
For more information about becoming a volunteer mentor or to suggest a youth who might benefit from this program, please contact Jackie Abel-Stavropoulos, Program Manager with Goodwill SWPA, at 412-390-2308 or Jackie.stavropoulos@goodwillswpa.org.
"Goodwill has a long history of helping people find work," said Michael J. Smith, Goodwill SWPA President / CEO. "A crucial part of that history is making sure that families are strong. Adults who become Goodwill GoodGuides(tm) will help keep youth who are at-risk get on the right path, stay away from trouble and prepare for a better future."
The program targets youths between the ages of 12 and 17 who are at risk for dropping out of school, facing legal troubles, or at risk for delinquency due to issues such as abuse, disability or drug or alcohol dependence. Its overall goal is to help potentially troubled young people build career plans and skills by providing structured and supportive relationships with trusted adult mentors. Specific goals are improved school attendance and academic scores, high school graduation, career exploration, job shadowing, service learning and financial literacy.
"Goodwill can readily identify many young people who can benefit from this program because of our extensive work with individuals and families with various disadvantages," Mr. Smith said. "Our challenge is to find enough qualified adults who are willing to make a commitment to serve as mentors and to engage at-risk youths in promoting their career development and life skills."
GoodGuides(tm) volunteer mentors must be 21 or older, submit to a background check, and agree to a one-year commitment. They will receive mentor training and be required to communicate weekly with the youths, spend six to eight hours a month with them, and communicate monthly with the Goodwill mentoring specialist.
Mentors from the business community will be asked to share insights into the working world and to help youths explore career challenges and opportunities.
For more information about becoming a volunteer mentor or to suggest a youth who might benefit from this program, please contact Jackie Abel-Stavropoulos, Program Manager with Goodwill SWPA, at 412-390-2308 or Jackie.stavropoulos@goodwillswpa.org.
Monday, March 22, 2010
EmploymentGuide.com and The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Help Pittsburgh’s Job Seekers For Sixth Year in a Row
Pittsburgh, PA, 3/12/2010– As the local economy begins to recover from the worst downturn since the collapse of the steel mills, The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and EmploymentGuide.com have combined efforts for the sixth consecutive year to bring together jobseekers with companies who seek their talents.
On Tuesday, March 23rd, from 9:30AM to 2:00PM at Mellon Arena more than 30 Pittsburgh area employers and schools, featuring career opportunities from Bettis Labs, and 100's of employment opportunities from the U.S. Census Bureau, will meet and interview hundreds of job seekers at the 2010 Pittsburgh Diversity Employment and Career Education Expo. Attendance is expected to exceed 1,000 Pittsburgh area residents seeking a new career. Last years 3 events attracted over 4,000 total job seekers and resulted in more than 450 job offers. Job Seekers will enter through gate 10. Attendance for job seekers is free and no pre-registration is required.
Co-sponsored by The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and EmploymentGuide.com, the 2010 Pittsburgh Employment and Career Education Expo is part of the “Hire Commitment” Job Fair Series, taking place in more than 50 cities across the country throughout 2010. The job fair series allows jobseekers to have personal contact with perspective employers.
Participating employers will seek to fill entry-level to management level positions and represent industries such as health care, engineering, IT, customer service, hospitality, retail, office/clerical, sales, skilled trades, and more.
Adding to the success of this new job fair series is support from associations interested in supporting their members including: the AARP Foundation WorkSearch and the Allegheny County Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
A Partial list of current employers and schools includes:
Bettis Labs
U.S. Census Bureau
All-State Truck Driving School
Aramark Mellon Arena
Army National Guard
Barber National Institute
Callos Companies
CCAC North Campus
CCAC/MOST
CitiGroup Financial Services
City of Pittsburgh
Cintas
Colonial Life Insurance Company
Everest Institute
Geneva College
Goodwill
H & R Block
Kaplan Career Institute
Life Pittsburgh
Lifesteps, Inc.
Mainstay Life Services
Pittsburgh Job Corp
Pittsburgh Multicultural Cosmetology Academy
Sanford Brown Career School
SMG Management, Mellon Arena
Southwestern Pa Commission, CommuteInfo
Transitional Services, Inc
UPMC
US Army Reserves
US Navy
Valvolene Instant Oil Change Centers
Wright Automotive Group
This list will be updated weekly untill the event.
On Tuesday, March 23rd, from 9:30AM to 2:00PM at Mellon Arena more than 30 Pittsburgh area employers and schools, featuring career opportunities from Bettis Labs, and 100's of employment opportunities from the U.S. Census Bureau, will meet and interview hundreds of job seekers at the 2010 Pittsburgh Diversity Employment and Career Education Expo. Attendance is expected to exceed 1,000 Pittsburgh area residents seeking a new career. Last years 3 events attracted over 4,000 total job seekers and resulted in more than 450 job offers. Job Seekers will enter through gate 10. Attendance for job seekers is free and no pre-registration is required.
Co-sponsored by The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and EmploymentGuide.com, the 2010 Pittsburgh Employment and Career Education Expo is part of the “Hire Commitment” Job Fair Series, taking place in more than 50 cities across the country throughout 2010. The job fair series allows jobseekers to have personal contact with perspective employers.
Participating employers will seek to fill entry-level to management level positions and represent industries such as health care, engineering, IT, customer service, hospitality, retail, office/clerical, sales, skilled trades, and more.
Adding to the success of this new job fair series is support from associations interested in supporting their members including: the AARP Foundation WorkSearch and the Allegheny County Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
A Partial list of current employers and schools includes:
Bettis Labs
U.S. Census Bureau
All-State Truck Driving School
Aramark Mellon Arena
Army National Guard
Barber National Institute
Callos Companies
CCAC North Campus
CCAC/MOST
CitiGroup Financial Services
City of Pittsburgh
Cintas
Colonial Life Insurance Company
Everest Institute
Geneva College
Goodwill
H & R Block
Kaplan Career Institute
Life Pittsburgh
Lifesteps, Inc.
Mainstay Life Services
Pittsburgh Job Corp
Pittsburgh Multicultural Cosmetology Academy
Sanford Brown Career School
SMG Management, Mellon Arena
Southwestern Pa Commission, CommuteInfo
Transitional Services, Inc
UPMC
US Army Reserves
US Navy
Valvolene Instant Oil Change Centers
Wright Automotive Group
This list will be updated weekly untill the event.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Pittsburgh Metro Unemployment Rate Levels off In December. Is the Worst Now Behind Us?
Unemployment figures released today by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry show December came in at 7.9%, the same as November. The source of strength for the report was manufacturing which lost no jobs from the month earlier.
This is consistent with ISM indexes released recently that show manufacturing nationwide is picking up as businesses strive to begin restocking shelves depleted by a year of inventory reductions.
Pittsburgh unemployment appears to have peaked in October when it hit 8.2%. For more details visit a summary from the Tribune Review and the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis Department of Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania.
This is consistent with ISM indexes released recently that show manufacturing nationwide is picking up as businesses strive to begin restocking shelves depleted by a year of inventory reductions.
Pittsburgh unemployment appears to have peaked in October when it hit 8.2%. For more details visit a summary from the Tribune Review and the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis Department of Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Pittsburgh YWCA Hosting Microenterprise Symposium 2010 at Carnegie Mellon University
The YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh's 2nd Annual Microenterprise Symposium is the premier gathering for small businesses in the Pittsburgh tri-state area. For a second year, entrepreneurs and business professionals from this area will come together at conference to participate in in-depth workshops, educational sessions, panel discussions and networking activities. The symposium provides a way for small business owners and budding entrepreneurs to meet and explore strategies for providing support and mentoring opportunities. Connections are made by sharing experiences and real life stories about their common challenges; techniques and creative tips will be shared to help participants continue to grow their businesses.
A Micro-enterprise by definition is a business with five or fewer employees, small enough to require initial capital of $35,000 or less. According to the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, one out of six U.S. private sector employees’ works for a microenterprise.
This year’s symposium will take place on February 20, 2010, at the Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University. The symposium will have more than 15 concurrent sessions in which experienced professionals will make presentations and lead discussions about technology, marketing, finance, and other related topics for small business development. Join them on February 20, 2010 and look ahead to the future of growing micro enterprises to million dollar businesses.
A Micro-enterprise by definition is a business with five or fewer employees, small enough to require initial capital of $35,000 or less. According to the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, one out of six U.S. private sector employees’ works for a microenterprise.
This year’s symposium will take place on February 20, 2010, at the Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University. The symposium will have more than 15 concurrent sessions in which experienced professionals will make presentations and lead discussions about technology, marketing, finance, and other related topics for small business development. Join them on February 20, 2010 and look ahead to the future of growing micro enterprises to million dollar businesses.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Pittsburgh Unemployment Rate Drops in November
The Pittsburgh metro unemployment rate dropped to 7.9% in November from 8.3% in October, more than 2% below the national November rate of 10.2%. However In November 2008 the Pittsburgh rate was only 5.8%. This was the first month to month decline in two years and the largest month to month decline since 1998.
The 7.9% November 2009 rate represents 95,100 unemployed workers out of a labor force of 1,205,200. One year ago the labor force was listed at 1,221,800 with 70,300 unemployed workers.
The lowest county rate was Butler at 7.1% while Fayette County was highest at 10.2%. For more details go to: http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us or http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09364/1024498-455.stm
Manufacturing jobs, though still down from October, are stabilizing at fewer than 90,000 for the region. Service related jobs, powered mostly by healthcare and education, showed growth.
These numbers are consistent with what we saw in November with help wanted job counts showing slight gains (followed in December by further gains).
The 7.9% November 2009 rate represents 95,100 unemployed workers out of a labor force of 1,205,200. One year ago the labor force was listed at 1,221,800 with 70,300 unemployed workers.
The lowest county rate was Butler at 7.1% while Fayette County was highest at 10.2%. For more details go to: http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us or http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09364/1024498-455.stm
Manufacturing jobs, though still down from October, are stabilizing at fewer than 90,000 for the region. Service related jobs, powered mostly by healthcare and education, showed growth.
These numbers are consistent with what we saw in November with help wanted job counts showing slight gains (followed in December by further gains).
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