Editor’s note: The following is a press release from the City of Bloomington. Bloom has republished it here with edits for style and clarity.
In partnership with WorkOne, My Sister’s Closet, and Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM), the City of Bloomington’s Banneker Community Center and Department of Economic & Sustainable Development will host an employability skills training session on Saturday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Banneker Community Center, 930 W. 7th St.
The employability skills workshops are funded in part through the Direct New Jobs component of Mayor John Hamilton’s Recover Forward initiative, a multi-phase plan to help the community rebound and thrive in the face of concurrent crises. Soft skills related to applying and interviewing for jobs and being successful once hired have been identified as a barrier for people reentering the workforce or seeking to scale up professionally. These training sessions can help individuals bridge the gap between being on the job market and thriving in a new job. Job seekers or anyone curious about increasing their employability are encouraged to drop into the sessions to learn about job training programs, to build a resume, to prepare for interviews, or to receive a free image consultation.
“As we grow good-paying jobs in Bloomington, we are also working to equip our workforce with skills relevant to the current job market,” says Mayor Hamilton. “Together with training in hard skills for fields like biomanufacturing and software engineering that Recover Forward is also helping to support, it’s critical that job seekers understand the nuances of how to get a job and thrive in the workplace. We’re glad to work with MCUM, WorkOne and My Sister’s Closet to support this vital training.”
Free childcare will be provided for children over 3, and parents are welcome to carry smaller children with them throughout the consultations if that is helpful. Free snacks will be provided on site, as will $10 gift certificates to My Sister’s Closet (which serves all genders) for clothing or personal care items. Participants will receive a free sack of groceries while supplies last. No registration is needed to attend the workshops, but participants may reserve a sack of groceries or indicate specific dietary requests at forms.gle/fHnZ9d3iAwyzSaNH7.
“Looking for a new job during normal years is challenging for anybody,” says Sandy Keller, executive director of My Sister’s Closet. “A better resume, some great pointers or some help interviewing, maybe a more professional look—obviously, all those things would make a big difference to help you stand out and get hired. Well guess what? Your community has assembled a dream team on July 22 and 24 to help you with all of it! So, why not make plans to attend? You’ve got this!”
