Shutdown or no shutdown, job fair is on

Earlier on Friday Senator Coons announced that after days of concern that a federal government shutdown might threaten our job fair planned for Monday, a backup plan was in place that would ensure that the more than 1000 job seekers expected to attend wouldn't be left out to dry.

Thanks to the leadership Governor Jack Markell, Secretary of Labor John McMahon and DEDO Director Allan Levin, the job fair will go on as planned.

“This is just another example of what makes Delaware such a special place,” Chris said. “We’re a team. The support shown by our friends in state government and the dozens of individuals and organizations that have called our office offering to volunteer has been amazing."

Federal law prohibits Senate staff from doing work during a shutdown that doesn’t relate to the Senator’s core legislative responsibilities, making Senator Coons’ excepted staff unable to assist job seekers at the job fair. Excepted and non-excepted staff would also be prevented from volunteering. Instead, employees from the Department of Labor and Delaware Economic Development Office will fill in to make sure Delawareans in attendance get the help they need.

A federal government shutdown would also prohibit the 16 federal agencies planning to send recruiters to the fair from participating. In that event, 16 additional private-sector employers are lined up to take their place.

The job fair, which now has more than 50 confirmed employers scheduled to participate, will be held Monday, April 11th, from 9 am to 4 pm at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. Job seekers need not pre-register in order to attend, but are encouraged to bring their resumes.