The Roanoke Connect eNewsletter #58 is now available for job seekers. Check out the latest on jobs in the RNR. To receive this directly, submit a profile.

Today marks the first of many weekly sessions for job seekers starting at 4 pm at the City of Roanoke Economic Development office at 117 Church Ave. Local recruiters will be attending to discuss job search strategies and techniques. For more information visit the city’s job help site.

Olivia Watkins wrote a fantastic piece for the Baton Rouge Business Report highlighting the commitment of the YP movement in Baton Rouge, LA. They also highlight one of Richard Florida’s 4 Ts of economic development - tolerance.  It is a good read.

Yesterday, the City of Roanoke announced a strategy to help job seekers turning this downturn in the economy. The website - www.roanokeva.gov/jobhelp - offers a four-prong approach to helping job seekers.

1. The plan offers better connections to employers through existing programs the Roanoke Connect database and the upcoming Roanoke Holiday Career and Lifestyle Fair on December 30.

2. Job search strategy technique seminars will be held each Monday and Blue Ridge PBS is offering JobQuest a live monthly television show starting on Tuesday, January 6 at 7 pm.

3. Encouraging lifelong learning options is essential to filling vacant position in the fields of health care, information technology, engineering, accounting and the trades. The Roanoke Higher Education Center will be holding an open house on February 5 showcasing the continuing education options.

4. Start businesses. Now may be the ideal opportunity to start a new venture and the Virginia Department of Business Assistance is offering a free workshop in February to help aspiring entrepreneurs.  

For more information and to see a list of resource links and programs, go to www.roanokeva.gov/jobhelp.

The Roanoke Times’ Matt Chittum created this Google Map, chart and links outlining the recent job status of several companies in the RNR since October of this year. It was good work in compiling all in one location.

In addition, it would be equally interesting to see the same format for new jobs that have been created in sectors such as health care, information technology, engineering, accounting, the trades - or - positions that have not been filled because job seekers do not have have the skill sets or do not want to acquire the skill sets for positions in clusters such as mechatronics, advanced manufacturing, etc.

The 900 number quoted is one side of the equation and no doubt the number will still be negative as it probably is in all regions in the U.S., but let’s lift up job creation in industry sectors that are available and let’s help people get them through connections and continuing education.

One way to do this is to attend the Roanoke Holiday Career and Lifestyle Fair on Tuesday, December 30 from 9 a.m. - 12 noon sponsored by The Renick Group, Express Employment Professionals and WDBJ7.

The following piece appeared in the Roanoke Star-Sentinnel promoting the upcoming Roanoke Holiday Career and Lifestyle Fair on December 30. Despite the current economy, we must be committed to events usch as these to better connect employers and job seekers. Thanks ahead of time for passing it along.

Some college students or young professionals may be considering a simpler, less hectic life, when compared to living in larger metropolitan areas, or may fantasize about living closer to loved ones. They may imagine new experiences and professional opportunities, and ponder if a change is needed. What then does Roanoke offer these out-of-towners, many of whom grew up here?

Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham created a vision three years ago, reaching out to people home for the holidays, perhaps from college, those who may be unaware of the career and lifestyle opportunities now existing in Roanoke. This outreach is carried out in part through the 3rd Annual Roanoke Holiday Career and Lifestyle Fair sponsored by The Renick Group, Express Employment Professionals and WDBJ 7 on Tuesday, December 30 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall.

This year, the focus of the event is not only natives visiting for the holidays, but it will also be an outlet for local job seekers. The Holiday Career and Lifestyle Fair will include local employers, educational institutions to further skill development, entrepreneurial organizations offering assistance to start a business and cultural organizations demonstrating the unique work/life balance Roanoke has to offer.

The number of individuals seeking employment in Roanoke via the Roanoke Connect database has risen sharply in the past few weeks. Pessimists will paint a hopeless picture for job seekers. Optimists will take the current economic environment and find opportunities. Let’s be optimistic and opportunistic. 

Let’s not forget the advantages our region does have: affordable housing, relatively low cost of living, access to quality health care, short commute times, numerous cultural and outdoor amenities, and a can-do spirit of persistence, determination and action.

Ultimately, we must have existing employers committed to long-term growth. We must have individuals committed to lifelong learning. We must encourage and support individuals in business creation. We must leverage our unique recreational lifestyle as part of our larger economic development strategy.

Finally, in order to be effective, we need your help to make this event successful. First, if you are a job seeker, then please attend. Second, if you are an employer, then register for your free booth courtesy of our generous sponsors. Third, if you are reading this, then send to someone you know locally who can benefit from this event or tell your out-of-town guest returning in December to attend.

Reflecting on the recent Thanksgiving weekend, it is always a blessing to host family members, children and grandchildren who visit us from afar. Perhaps this Thanksgiving we are more mindful of our blessings, especially during these shaky economic times.

Be a blessing to someone else during this holiday season. Tell them about the Roanoke Holiday Career and Lifestyle Fair on Tuesday, December 30 from 9 am – 12 noon at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall. Perhaps together we can help a special someone who wants to stay or return to Roanoke.

Again, another group of YPs who are collectively making their case at the state level. These are some bold demands, but it is needed. Hope the plan prevails.

See the story here and the full report here.

Dr. Alan Abrahams in the Pamplin College of Business Department of Business Information Technology is leading a group of student in a business called The Online Business Guidebook to encourage other students to start their own business. The model creates a paper version of a handbook and an online edition that gathers start-up resources in one location and disseminates the booklet throughout local campuses. The revenues comes from advertisers. It is a worthy and much needed focus on college campuses to encourage more of its students to become more entrepreneurial like Cameron Johnson.  

Please share this site and business with any college student. Thanks.

The Roanoke/Blacksburg region is a rapidly growing area of science and technology, yet there are relatively few venues to get to know the people, companies and universities working in the field.

The Southwest Virginia Science Forum is aimed at bringing together the region’s scientists and engineers to learn about the work we’re doing, the companies and institutions that are doing it, and the people responsible for research and product development.

There will be poster presentations by many of the area’s academic and corporate researchers and engineers. Drinks and refreshments will be served. The evening will provide lots of time for socializing, understanding , and maybe even producing a collaborative idea or two.

The Forum will take place on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 from 4:00-7:00 PM, in the Fralin Biotechnology Center on the campus of Virginia Tech. It is hosted jointly by the Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO) and the NewVa Corridor Technology Council (NCTC). Advance registration is $10 for members of VaBIO or NCTC, $20 for non-members. Student registration is complimentary. Please join us for an afternoon and evening of socializing, learning and making some new friends.

To register for the event or to present a poster, please visit VaBIO.org, thetechnologycouncil.com or call Sherri Halloran at (804) 643-6360

The 3rd Annual Roanoke Holiday Career and Lifestyle Fair, sponsored by The Renick Group, Express Employment Professionals, and WDBJ 7, will be held at the Roanoke Civic Center’s Exhibit Hall on Tuesday, December 30, 2008, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon.

The event is was originally designed to connect native Roanokers, who are home for the holidays, to the many employment, business and lifestyle opportunities in the region. However, this year the event is coming at a time in which many people are searching for employment due to the recession. The event will provide an outlet for job seekers and employers to connect and hopefully resulting in many success stories. In the past two years, over 100 exhibitors and 1000 people have attended with a number of placements occurring.  

Exhibitors will include companies offering jobs, entrepreneurial organizations showcasing resources to assist with business startups, and lifestyle organizations offering a diverse mix of social and cultural amenities.

Despite the economic recession, the region still provides a unique blend of employment and lifestyle options. Now more than ever we must showcase these advantages as people from outside the region are thinking about career and lifestyle changes due to the economy.

Admission to the fair for attendees is FREE. If your company would like a FREE booth, then email stuart.mease@roanokeva.gov.