The Calcasieu Business and Career Solutions Center has an initiative that seeks to improve and increase opportunities for people with disabilities who are looking for work.

Catherine Thomas, the center’s disability resource coordinator, said the center has two events scheduled next month to assist those with disabilities seeking employment. The U.S. Department of Labor observes October as National Disability Employment Awareness month.

“The manpower is there, and they are ready to work,” she said.

The first event is a free Diversity Works job fair readiness seminar set for 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the business center, 2424 Third St. Thomas said those who attend the event can hear the dos and don’ts when searching for a job and get tips on building a resume and how to act during a job interview.

The job fair is scheduled for Oct. 21 in the Lake Charles Civic Center. A breakfast for participating employers will be 8-9 a.m., followed by the job fair 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

During the breakfast, Tim Delaney, director of services for students with disabilities at McNeese State University, will discuss the myths and facts about recruiting and hiring disabled workers.

One common myth, Thomas said, is that people with disabilities are not qualified for certain jobs or have high turnover rates. According to a Diversity Works reference guide, national research shows that 72 percent of working-age people with disabilities have a high school diploma or a higher degree. Thomas also said that workers with disabilities “have the lowest attrition rates of any employee group” in the U.S.

Thomas said organizers want at least 30 employers to participate in the job fair and would like at least 200 job seekers — including those with and without disabilities — to attend. A mobile unit will be available for job seekers to fill out applications.

Thomas said the events are part of the center’s disability employment initiative. She said it is an effort to provide employers with qualified workers once the large industrial expansion projects get underway.

“The whole focus is to improve and increase access to all various systems for people with disabilities seeking employment,” she said. “The more people we employ during this time, the more people will be able to become self-sufficient and contributing members of our community to help us grow even more.”

For more information or to register for the events, call Thomas at 721-4010, ext. 5010.(MGNonline)