Joint Event Coordinated by County Executive, Office for Economic Development and Business Leaders in Response to Urgent Need for Larger Labor Force
White Plains, New York – (October 12, 2023)… More than 300 job seekers lined up to meet with over 40 employers and resource providers at a regional career fair October 12 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. Sponsored by the Westchester County Association (WCA), Westchester’s leading economic development and business advocacy organization, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, and the Westchester County Office for Economic Development, the event — the largest of its kind in the region this fall — brought together hundreds of qualified candidates needed to fill approximately 3,000 in-demand jobs in healthcare, finance, nonprofit and other sectors.
While the latest national jobs report showed strong growth, employers in every sector in Westchester County continue to experience labor shortages and are struggling to fill positions, according to Jason Chapin, WCA’s Director of Workforce Development.
Said Chapin: “Finding the right talent is a critical challenge for business. At the same time, many workers experiencing barriers to employment are finding it difficult to secure work. Through our partnerships with the private sector, government, and education and training providers, we were pleased to bring employers and job seekers together to bridge the gap. It’s all part of our work to create a sustainable regional talent pipeline.”
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Today’s event is a testament to our commitment to building a strong and vibrant workforce. We must continue to think big to best position Westchester to be able to take on the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow.”
Bridget Gibbons, Westchester County’s Director of Economic Development, said: “Westchester companies are hiring and the County is committed to helping our businesses to find the talent that they need. The employers who participated in today’s event reflect the diversity and depth of our local economy, and offered job seekers a wide-range of opportunities to leverage their skills as part of the local workforce.”
A wide array of companies, many of them members of the WCA, were in attendance, including Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, Chase Bank, CohnReznick, Mercy University, NewYork-Presbyterian, Northwell , SUNY Westchester Community College, White Plains Hospital, WMCHealth, among many others. They interviewed job seekers, students, and college graduates from over 20 higher education and training providers in the region and met with resource providers including the Child Care Council of Westchester, Neighbors Link, and United Way of Westchester and Putnam who were on hand with information on support services. A full list of employers and resource providers can be found here.
For more information on the WCA’s talent pipeline initiatives visit https://www.westchester.org/initiative/workforce-development/
About the Westchester County Association
The Westchester County Association is the most influential organization of businesses and non-profits in Westchester and the surrounding region. We unite and mobilize professional leaders to advance issues and lead initiatives that strengthen our regional economy. Our key objectives are to drive Westchester’s economic vitality, stimulate new business development and job creation, and provide our members with the resources and talent they need to grow. For more information about the Westchester County Association, visit www.westchester.org.
About Westchester County
Westchester County, located in the heart of the historic Hudson Valley, covers 500 square miles and has a population of just over one million. Originally home to Native Americans, who were members of the Lenape tribe, it is today a rich mix of many cultures and landscapes. The County is a blend of bustling cities, quaint villages and picturesque towns as well as open spaces and a network of beautiful parks. Westchester is made up of 6 cities, 19 towns and 20 villages. Westchester County is known for top-notch public schools, and a high quality of life. The County is also an intellectual capital, boasting a highly educated workforce, competitive colleges and universities, Fortune 500 companies, world changing non-profits, and cutting-edge research centers. Westchester is led by County Executive George Latimer, who took office in January 2018 as the ninth County Executive. Using inclusion and openness as a foreground, Latimer is fighting to make Westchester a destination for all people to live, work and enjoy. Learn more about Westchester County by visiting www.westchestergov.com
About The Westchester County Office of Economic Development
The Westchester County Office of Economic Development works to improve the County’s economic well-being and quality of life. This includes a broad range of activities to attract, create and retain jobs, and to foster a resilient, pro-growth and inclusive economy. For information, visit https://westchestercatalyst.com.