Revere Works organizes Job Search Challenges Focus Group to improve local offerings

Department of Workforce Development seeking participants for a second focus group

Revere Works proudly announced the initiation of the Job Search Challenges Focus Group in Revere. Revere Works is a dynamic coalition comprising City of Revere departments, workforce training agencies, and educational providers committed to fostering workforce development citywide. This collaborative effort aims to address the diverse needs of Revere residents by facilitating an open discussion on job search interests and challenges. By uniting the community’s voices, Revere Works seeks to enhance the effectiveness of job search support programs.

On February 1, 18 community members of diversified racial and socioeconomic backgrounds participated and shared their experiences with job searching during the first focus group. In order to facilitate the discussion, representatives from Revere Works – including CONNECT (TND), MACIR, Women Encouraging Empowerment (WEE) and Revere Community School (RCS) – were present to provide interpretation services in Spanish and Arabic. During the working session, participants shared insights about their past employment experiences, current job situations and aspirations for their dream jobs.

CONNECT Director Alexa Shabecoff noted that “the group had a wide range of skills and credentials but almost all found that their English proficiency was a barrier to good jobs. Some even had a good understanding of English but lacked the confidence to interview in English.”

“We invite all Revere residents to participate in this impactful focus group and share their valuable insights,” said Shabecoff in her opening remarks, “By joining, you contribute significantly to shaping the direction of local nonprofit organizations, such as TND, MACIR, WEE and RCS, in tailoring job search assistance for the benefit of Revere residents.”

The focus groups ultimately aim to improve workforce development opportunities in Revere by addressing community members’ job search challenges and providing avenues for support and improvement. The next focus group will be held at Women Encouraging Empowerment (50 Walnut Ave.) on Tuesday, April 16, at 6 p.m. Focus group participants receive a $20 Target gift card and complimentary refreshments. Individuals interested in participating can register by scanning the QR code, or at bit.ly/RWfocusgroup.

  For more information about Revere Works, visit the city’s website at www.revere.org/revere-works