23 MAY 2018:  Judy Julius, Owner, Primary Consultant, EEO Consulting

When the St. Louis Industry Liaison Group (ILG) talks about “meeting you at the fair,” it’s not about ice-cream cones and electric lights. What we’re talking about is a chance for federal contractors to visit with the community-based organizations (CBOs) who represent the veteran and disability communities in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area. What started in 2014 as a response to the changes with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 503) and Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) has now become more of a reunion, a way to see current partners and establish new partnerships. Maybe it was the balloons, maybe it was breakfast sandwiches, but this year there was a different vibe in the air. There are true friendships developing as the partnerships between federal contractors and CBOs continue to result in job placements for veterans and people with disabilities.

Since 2014, the St. Louis ILG has partnered with the St. Louis Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL) who hosts our outreach vendor fairs. The purpose of the fair is to allow federal contractors to meet with CBOs that focus on providing employment services to veterans and individuals with disabilities. Through face-to-face conversations, federal contractors learn firsthand how these organizations can support their recruitment and employment initiatives to help ensure compliance with VEVRAA and Section 503. This year, 27 CBOs had 60 representatives at their booths, and there were 86 representatives from 45 federal contractors.

How Did We Make This Happen?

• The OFCCP reaches out to the CBOs as part of their collaboration efforts
• The ILG partners with HR organizations and local news media to reach federal contractors
• The university provides the venue
• A major employer sponsors the food
• We have lots of raffle items throughout the event
• The event takes place from 9:00 a.m. till noon, which is not a huge time commitment, and you can come and go as you please. It’s very informal.

Each year, we look for ways to change things up. This year’s fair included a keynote speaker, November Champion, Manager/VP of Online Accessibility Programs at Wells Fargo Advisors, who spoke on “What Human Resources Needs to Know About Web Accessibility.”

This year we also added a “Lunch and Learn” session for students who use ACCESS or the Veteran Office services. It was a chance for students to gain insight into how companies recruit and select candidates, in addition to resume and interview tips, from an HR panel which included Centene, Express Scripts, and Mercy Health Systems. Students submitted questions in advance and the discussion was moderated by the Chair of our ILG. It was a candid conversation and unique opportunity for the panel and the students. Questions for the panel included: “When should I disclose my disability?”; “Do you pay less to someone who has a disability?”; “How do you feel about older vets coming back into the workplace?”; and “How do you show passion on a resume?” From all accounts, it was a positive experience for everyone involved and one that we will build upon next year.

The Feedback Has Been Incredibly Positive
Representatives from the CBOs look forward to this event. It is the one time each year that federal contractors are coming to them to ask about their services instead of them cold-calling companies and trying to get five minutes of their time.

• Federal contractors are making immediate connections with organizations who have qualified candidates available to fill current hourly and salaried openings.
• Companies who have attended before come back in order to make new contacts.
• Large employers who regularly use the larger CBOs get connected with some smaller organizations.
• It’s like a reunion for the CBOs to see each other and federal contractors to see their favorite agency representatives and job coaches in person.
• It’s a unique opportunity for the CBOs and federal contractors to interact with the staff from the EEOC and OFCCP in a welcoming setting.