City of Albuquerque Hosts Second Annual One Albuquerque: Youth Job & Volunteer Fair

February 1, 2020

Today, the City of Albuquerque’s One Albuquerque: Youth Connect program hosted the second annual One Albuquerque: 2020 Youth Job and Volunteer Fair for youth 14 to 25-years-old, parents, and educators. This year, the youth job fair has expanded by offering more positions from more employers across the city, with about 1,000 positions from dozens of employers. Over 1,000 youth and 500 parents participated in the fair today. There were 152 online job applications for the City of Albuquerque completed and over 120 in-person interviews.

“Albuquerque’s youth bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the future of our city. We’re providing more opportunities for young people to grow their experience and skills, all while connecting with the community,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Many of us working at the City today began our careers just like this. One of my first jobs was picking up golf balls at Arroyo del Oso golf course for Parks and Recreation and two of our directors started out driving Sun Vans and trash trucks.”

Private employers include Dion’s, Teeniors, and Hinkle Family Fun Center and 12 City of Albuquerque divisions including City Museums, The ABQ Film Office, and Aquatics are in attendance to offer hiring info, take resumes, and hold on-the-spot interviews. Volunteer opportunities are also offered by organizations including the BioPark, Explora! and the Ronald McDonald House.

During the job fair, a parent’s lounge provided information sessions and support in English and Spanish to guardians helping the next generation navigate their future.

“The high turnout of this event shows we are continuing to meet the need of matching Albuquerque’s youth with businesses and organizations,” said Community Services Division Director Cristin Chavez-Smith. “We know the importance of not only helping youth get started in planning their future and learning valuable skills, but also the benefits of having youth employees in our divisions, providing insight and energy to keep the City moving forward.”

Since the beginning of his administration, Mayor Keller has led an expansion of youth programming, including youth hires and volunteers at the City. During the summer of 2019, the City hired 1,278 youth staff members an 16% increase from 2018. Youth career and education development at the City also included:

• Five new Cultural Services internships
• 13 City departments with interns and youth employees at 45 sites
• 25 teen volunteers at the BioPark

A full list of employers, volunteer organizations, information tables, career and education breakout session topics can be found at https://www.cabq.gov/youth-connect/one-albuquerque-youth-job-volunteer-fair.