Since 2004, the Fairmount Indigo CDC Collaborative has worked to achieve equity for low and moderate-income residents living near the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line. In this spirit, the Collaborative decided to address high unemployment along the Fairmount Indigo corridor by creating new pathways to good jobs. The Collaborative launched the Fairmount Job Referral Network in August 2016.
On December 7, 2016, the Fairmount Job Referral Network hosted its first employment fair. Dubbed the Newmarket Business Recruitment Event, the recruiting event was held at JVS Career Solutions in downtown Boston. More than ten employers representing over 60 job openings participated, and nearly thirty job seekers attended the event. Three people were hired at the job fair, and an additional 15 job seekers have interviews scheduled with employers.
Dara Frederick, Business Employment Specialist for the Fairmount Job Referral Network, coordinated the event. “Local business owners demonstrated their commitment to hiring local residents by participating in the Newmarket Business Recruitment Event,” said Frederick. “Residents along the Fairmount Corridor left the event one step closer toward gainful employment, and employers saw how the Fairmount Job Referral Network can meet their need for qualified applicants.”
Frederick worked with community organizers at the Collaborative’s CDCs – Dorchester Bay EDC, Codman Square NDC, and Southwest Boston CDC – to target job seekers along the Fairmount Corridor. One job seeker said of the event, “I no longer attend job fairs and was hesitant to register for the event, but I’m glad I did. This was different.”
The success of the event demonstrates the need to connect local job seekers to employers seeking qualified workers. The Fairmount Job Referral Network plans to schedule additional recruitment sessions in the coming months.
Job seekers along the Fairmount Corridor should contact the CDC in their area to begin the search process. Employers seeking qualified applicants should contact Dara Frederick.
