INDIANAPOLIS, December 11, 2014 – On Wednesday, November 19, 2014 the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) piloted a virtual career fair in collaboration with the National Labor Exchange (NLx)–a partnership between DirectEmployers Association and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA)–that helped to connect California’s job seekers with employers hiring in the state. The virtual career fair was diversity-focused and specifically targeted veterans, military families and people with disabilities.
“We have conducted virtual career fairs since 2013, but never in partnership with our state partners via the NLx,” commented Bill Warren, Executive Director, DirectEmployers Association. “The success of this event can be attributed to each organization working to build awareness with their own members. DirectEmployers was able to engage its members to participate, while the State of California worked with NASWA to engage job seekers in California. Overall, it is another example of how our partnership is mutually beneficial, helping both employers and job seekers.”
Sponsored by California’s EDD, and in collaboration with the National Labor Exchange (NLx), the event was offered at no cost to both employers and job seekers. Over 1,900 job seekers registered for the event and 80% of those registered completed a profile, which is necessary for participation. Fifty percent of those with completed profiles logged in and actively participated in the event, which exceeded the average attendance rate for the virtual career fair industry by 10%.
“The California statewide virtual career fair through the National Labor Exchange offered state workforce agencies and employers an opportunity to work together to find qualified candidates for in-demand careers. NASWA and DirectEmployers believe that the California virtual career fair pilot will lead other states to offer no-cost virtual career fairs through the National Labor Exchange,” commented Scott B. Sanders, Executive Director, NASWA.
In addition to the large volume of job seekers who participated in this event, thirty-five employers were represented–most of which had participated in an online virtual event in the past. Through a close partnership with NASWA and their working alliance, the NLx, DirectEmployers marketed the no-cost event to its members, while the State of California reached out to select business partners to invite them to participate. NASWA’s NLx team also developed a 10-minute video presentation entitled, “How to Prepare for a Virtual Career Fair” to support the state’s efforts. More than 425 unique visitors viewed the video prior to the virtual event, helping to make the career fair that much more impactful.
“Virtual job fairs are the next logical step for EDD. Now, despite geographic locations, businesses and individuals can meet online,” said Patrick W. Henning Jr., Director, California Employment Development Department. “Coupled with the resources available at America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM locations, job seekers will now have a broader reach and new innovations to help them on their career paths, and employers will have a wider selection of potential employees.”
While virtual career fairs are becoming standard practice for many employers, follow-up is still key. In the coming months, the EDD will work to collect employer feedback regarding their experience and then send follow-up emails to all job seekers that participated in the event. Both NASWA and DirectEmployers hope to continue these efforts through its NLx partnership, and offer similar events to the partnership’s participating states in the future.
About DirectEmployers Association
DirectEmployers is an employer-driven association focusing on talent acquisition and inclusion that utilizes its technology and thought leadership to amplify job visibility and employment brand, facilitate partnerships to meet EEO/AA goals and provide proof of job delivery.
About the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA)
NASWA is an organization of state administrators of workforce training, unemployment insurance, employment services, employment statistics and labor market information programs. It provides advocacy at the national level for a more effective workforce system, as well as engaging with the U.S. Department of Labor, employers and the public.
About the National Labor Exchange
The National Labor Exchange (NLx) was created in an unprecedented partnership between DirectEmployers Association and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) with the mutual goal of increasing labor market efficiency. Until 2007, America’s Job Bank was used to connect employers and state entities to job seekers. In July of 2007, America’s Job Bank was discontinued and replaced with the National Labor Exchange to help better leverage private non-profit owned technology and existing state workforce agency resources. Since inception, the National Labor Exchange has shaped an efficient and seamless method for federal contractors to meet federal job posting and delivery standards while still providing a cost effective solution to help reach a highly diverse workforce. Through the use of US.jobs, the National Labor Exchange is also the prime source for quality, vetted jobs to state job banks and the nations veteran’s representatives daily.
Media Contact: Nancy Holland, Vice President of Marketing, DirectEmployers Association, (317) 874-9022, nancy@directemployers.org
