Baristas Wanted: Starbucks Teams With Community College of Philadelphia for Hiring Fair

Contact: Linda Wallace, 215-751-8082, liswallace@ccp.edu
Annette John-Hall, 215-751-8021, anhall@ccp.edu

 

PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 17 - Understanding the critical need to extend opportunity to Philadelphia youth who are disconnected from the workforce, Starbucks and Community College of Philadelphia have partnered to host a job fair, in hopes of attracting potential employees for Starbucks’ Philadelphia-area stores.

The recruiting event will be held Wednesday, June 1st from noon to 3:30 PM in The Great Hall of the Winnet Student Life Building on the College’s main campus, located on 17th Street between Spring Garden and Callowhill streets.

“Opportunity youth stand to gain the most when we work together with the shared purpose of offering them a chance for a brighter future,” said Dr. David E. Thomas, dean of the College’s Division of Access and Community Engagement. “We hope this event marks the beginning of a long-standing partnership between the College and Starbucks."

Paul Sykes, Starbucks District Manager, said his company’s mission aligns with that of the College. “Starbucks chose to partner with Community College of Philadelphia because of its unwavering commitment in helping young people realize their greatest potential,” he said. “We’d like to continue our partnership in helping youth across all spectrums realize their fullest potential and possible careers with Starbucks.”

Through the job fair, Starbucks seeks to harness the creativity and productivity of young people who are disconnected from the workforce. In Philadelphia, approximately 25 percent of youth between the ages of 18 and 24 are either out of school or out of work, according to a recent study by Drexel University’s Center for Labor Markets and Policy. Nationally, only 17.7 percent of the same age group were disconnected.

Institutions and organizations such as the College, School District of Philadelphia, and Starbucks describe this population as “Opportunity Youth,” and have joined a growing national movement around addressing their educational and employment needs. Through the 100,000 Opportunities initiative - a coalition of the largest employer-led businesses in the nation - Starbucks has pledged to provide apprenticeships, internships, and part-time and full-time jobs to 100,000 young people by 2018.

Starbucks recruiters will be on hand to welcome applicants and conduct interviews for qualified candidates. The company seeks hourly workers for barista and shift supervisor positions. The job fair is open to all Philadelphia residents, with a special emphasis on the opportunity youth serviced through programs housed under the School District of Philadelphia’s Opportunity Network.

 

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