Statewide virtual job fair today, Thursday

This week marks the KANSASWORKS Statewide Virtual Job Fair.

Kansans seeking employment opportunities are encouraged to participate in the Virtual Job Fair beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 8, and ending at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9.

The event will give job seekers the opportunity to meet virtually with multiple businesses. Candidates will be able to upload their resumes to their Virtual Job Fair account as well as live chat and conduct interviews through any digital device such as a computer, tablet or mobile phone.

Registration for the virtual job fair is at https://app.premiervirtual.com/events/c5752352-e113-4d34-acaf-860c97942c71/kansasworks-virtual-statewide-job-fair.

Kansas has conducted 11 virtual job fairs since the first one in 2020. Hundreds of employers and registered job seekers participated in each online job fair.

“KANSASWORKS’ continued efforts to connect qualified job seekers with meaningful employment are making a difference across our state,” Lt. Gov. and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “We are committed to continuing virtual job fairs and other thoughtful strategies to strengthen our workforce and create the best possible job opportunities statewide.”

Those wishing to take part in this week’s virtual job fair must register, regardless of previous participation. Job seekers can find open positions listed on the registration page and are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers may request to engage in a video interview during the virtual job fair.

The Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features a Job Seeker Training video, a list of participating employers, and channels for attendees to register and login.

The next scheduled KANSASWORKS Statewide Virtual Job Fair is set for Feb. 16 and 17.

Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at 877-509-6757 prior to the events.

Gov. Kelly joins bipartisan coalition urging Congress to strengthen auto supply chain

Gov.Laura Kelly today announced she has joined a bipartisan coalition of governors from across the country urging Congressional leadership to approve full funding of the Creating Helpful Incentives for the Production of Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act.

Gov. Kelly, along with Govs. Tony Evers, Wisconsin; Roy Cooper, North Carolina; Andy Beshear, Kentucky; Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania; Kay Ivey, Alabama; J.B. Pritzker, Illinois; Gavin Newsom, California; and Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan, sent a letter to Congress urging swift action to fund the bipartisan program that will turbocharge U.S. production of semiconductors, including the “mature node” chips that are critically important to automakers and parts suppliers, and strengthen the supply chain.

“As the global semiconductor shortage continues to challenge our automotive manufacturing industry and threaten our supply chain, it is critical that Congress take immediate action on the CHIPS Act,” Gov. Kelly said. “I look forward to working with our federal partners – and with my fellow governors – to deliver solutions for our auto manufacturing industry that will secure our supply chain, create jobs, protect our workers, and further strengthen our state’s already booming economy.”

The letter details that supply challenges have idled auto plants across the country, impacting more than 575,000 auto-related jobs.

In Kansas City, Kansas, the General Motors’ plant first shift is working, but the second shift is laid off because of parts shortages.

The bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), already passed by the Senate, included funding for the CHIPS Act re-shoring provisions. It includes $52 billion in incentives to boost domestic semiconductor production and research, $2 billion of which would be dedicated to incentivizing production of the “mature node” semiconductors used by automakers and parts suppliers. These chips are also a key component for other manufacturing sectors, including medical devices, agricultural machinery like farm tractors and combines, as well as radiation-proof chips required by the national defense industrial base.

In the letter, the governors urge the House and Senate to come together to find common ground on the USICA, including full funding for the CHIPS Act..

The governors’ letter is online at https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MIEOG/2021/11/09/file_attachments/1991877/Multistate%20Letter%20re%20CHIPS%20Act%20Funding%20-%20Nov%202021.pdf