By Sarah Mahan

The Selma Times-Journal

In a time where finding employment opportunities can be difficult, U.S. Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-Ala) has partnered with Wallace Community College-Selma to provide Black Belt residents with both job readiness training and employment opportunities.

Through the second annual congressional job fair and pre-job fair readiness workshops, Sewell and Wallace hope to improve employment chances in Selma and surrounding communities.

“This is a commitment on my office’s part to do our very best to address the unemployment issues in our district. Our district is vast, and it [consists of both] urban and rural areas, so we decided we would alternate [between the two],” Sewell said. “Last year the job fair was held in Birmingham, and this year we decided to hold our first Black Belt job fair in what we hope becomes an annual event.”

The pre-job fair readiness workshops — held Monday, July 22 through Wednesday, July 24 — are an effort to provide citizens with every possible advantage in the job market.

“Anything we can do to improve the chances of people finding employment in my district is a positive thing. I am honored that Wallace Community College is willing to partner with us to promote job readiness,” Sewell said.

Those who attend the workshop will receive assistance with job preparation skills, including assistance with resume preparation and interview skills. Workshop sessions will be held at the Wallace campus from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, July 22; from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23; and from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday July 24.

These workshops precede the second annual congressional job fair, which will also be held on the Wallace campus on Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“The number one issue in our district stems around employment opportunities, and we [are bringing] over 50 employers under one roof, so folks can learn about job opportunities,” Sewell said. “One of the employer qualifications to register for the job fair was they must have job openings. We want it to be a display of area employers who are hiring.”

Sewell encourages residents to take advantage of the workshops and job fair.

“I urge my constituents to take full advantage of this opportunity to meet with area employers and put their best foot forward. I am equally excited about the workshops and the job fair,” she said.

Both the workshops and job fair are free to attend. For more information, contact Sewell’s Selma district office at 877-4414.