Community Corner

Standing In the Stamford Unemployment Line

Connecticut's unemployment rate is on the rise, and unemployed Stamford residents are finding new jobs through the Department of Labor, Family Centers, and veteran's programs.

With a state labor force unemployed rate of 9%, public, private, and veteran employment programs are seeing a spike in both their client enrollment numbers and client success numbers.

Reach Independence Through Employment, a Family Centers program which primarily helps train and retrain the unemployed for new work, currently touts a 83% success rate with its clients in Stamford.

"The RITE Program sees over 400 clients each year in both Greenwich and Stamford.  Each client is seeking something different.  Sometimes our clients are seeking administrative types of positions," Family Centers director Donna Spellman told Patch. "Other clients are seeking work in the medical field, food/catering, customer service, trades, etc."

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However, it is unclear if "highly qualified" job-seekers are able to secure work of their former level through RITE.

"...When we see clients who are coming to us because they are seeking a job, assuming they have minimal and basic skills, we are able to help them to secure employment within 2-3 months.  Of course the higher skilled, the better the job," Spellman said.

Find out what's happening in Stamfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Connecticut residents counting themselves part of America's astonishing veteran unemployment numbers may find solace, and work, with 's (D-27) . Supported by State Rep. Tony Hwang (R-134), VWIP claims to have a 65% success rate employing CT's vets with entry level jobs in growing industries, such as the environmental sector.

"We're in almost every area in the state. Our goal is to serve every veteran that requires assistance," Leone said.

For job-seekers that don't want to participate in a lengthy program, The Connecticut Department of Labor offers more than just a $573 unemployment check every week. In addition to sponsoring CTWorks, which lists over 500 job vacancies in Stamford with companies such as UBS, General Electric, and Staples, CDOL utilizes the Rapid Reemployment Initiative, which allows downsizing employers to connect displaced employees with new, specific jobs.

While frowned upon by many nationwide, staffing firms such as Manpower and Kelly Services are still an option. When Patch covered RITE's Job Readiness Day in July 2011, four people were invited to receive job tips from new Manpower employees.

"Although the clients that attended the Manpower Job Readiness Day were not there seeking jobs, of the participants, one did leave with a job that day," Spellman said. "Many other RITE program clients have found employment through Manpower."

Then again, Stamfordites may not have as much need for these programs soon; as of September 2011, Fairfield County is one the best regions for job growth and salary increases in the country.

Despite your employment status, do you have a preferred method of job-hunting? Comments welcome!


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