You’ve heard of speed dating? Well, welcome to speed jobbing! Job-A-Palooza is a fast-paced job training event that gives candidates the opportunity to learn about possible careers and meet potential employers. The Arc of Palm Beach County is hosting the event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9 at the Palm Beach Gardens campus of Palm Beach State College.
The Arc has recruited local businesses and organizations that want to hire people with disabilities. Each company will help participants to complete a task, then judge them on the quality or speed of their performance, depending on the task. For example, a candidate may be asked to bag items for a grocery store, roll silverware for a restaurant, or detail a vehicle for a car wash. At the end of the event, the top performers will receive awards, and all job seekers will be recognized for participating.
Job-A-Palooza targets students with disabilities from age 14 to 21. Each applicant will choose at least five businesses and have a peer mentor to help them complete their job tasks. Funding for Job-A-Palooza is provided through Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The goal is to supply job training for people with disabilities, so they can earn an income in the future. Students must pre-register for the event by visiting www.arcpbc.org or by contacting Kristie Giles at kgiles@arcpbc.org.
“This event helps us advance our message of acceptance,” said Kimberly McCarten, CEO and president of the Arc of Palm Beach County. “We want businesses to know that we have a job force that is trained, eager and ready to work. We encourage people with disabilities to explore career options and experience the sense of accomplishment that comes with bringing home your first paycheck.”
Job-A-Palooza is just one of the ways the Arc of Palm Beach County helps people enter the workforce. The Employment Services Program offers job seekers guidance throughout the year, and ongoing support for those who are hired. Employment specialists partner with businesses to discover and help create career opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. To learn more about Job-A-Palooza, visit www.arcpbc.org or call (561) 842-3213.
