FIFTH OPENING – The Sitka seine boats Hukilau and Rose Lee pump herring aboard this afternoon at the end of Deep Inlet during the fifth opening in the Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery. The opening was being held in two locations beginning at 11 a.m. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson) 

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Daily Sitka Sentinel

Hames Corp. Honored for Employment Policies

By ABIGAIL BLISS

Sentinel Staff Writer

The Hames Corporation was honored Wednesday at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon for the company’s exceptional efforts to hire, train and invest in employees with disabilities.

Bob Purvis, a member of the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee, announced the Hames Corp. as Employer of the Year in the small business category, and awarded a plaque to company representatives Jaylene Owen, Steve Huddleson, and Andrew Hames.

Bob Purvis, second from right, presents the Alaska State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee Small Employer of the Year award to Sea Mart staff members Wednesday during the Chamber of Commerce meeting at the Westmark.  From left are Jaylene Owen, HR director for Hames; Andrew Hames, store director; Purvis; and Steve Huddleson, assistant store director. (Sentinel Photo)

“They recognize the value in all of their employees,” read a comment from the committee, relayed to the Chamber audience by Fran Schwuchow, employment services manager at Sitka Job Center, a branch of the State Department of Labor.

The weekly Chamber meeting centered on Schwuchow’s presentation on the Job Center’s services for both job seekers and employers hoping to hire.

Fran Schwuchow. (Sentinel Photo)

The Sitka Job Center, at 304 Lake St., is one of 15 scattered throughout the state. Its goal, Schwuchow explained, is to “provide labor exchange, employment and training services, and unemployment insurance to Alaskans, and Alaska businesses thereby advancing opportunities for employment and providing economic stability for communities in Alaska.” 

She detailed the Job Center’s offerings for Sitkans searching for work: application assistance; resume and cover letter guidance; interview practice; internet, fax, and telephone access; proficiency testing; insight into industry trends; personalized suggestions of local gigs; career counseling; access to the state’s fidelity bonding program and veteran services; and opportunities to work toward the National Career Readiness Certificate.

She described its services for employers: assistance accessing the Alaska Labor Exchange System, recruitment aid, referrals, information into state and federal tax credits, workplace posters, job fairs, advice on layoff responses, and local or statewide advertisements for vacancies.

The Job Center also offers assistance filing unemployment insurance claims and access to a conference room that can be used for job fairs, meetings, and interviews, she said.

Responding to a question from the audience, Schwuchow said there is no shortage of local job opportunities. If you want a job in Sitka, she said, you can have it.

Even so, she said, she’s found it challenging in the past year and a half, in particular, to fill posts, primarily those requiring unskilled labor.

“I don’t know if people have just given up and they’re not working, or if people have found another source of income or if they’re just gone,” she said.  “I don’t know if people are leaving Sitka, and so we’re losing that population. ... I had jobs this summer, which I don’t think I always filled, which is not normal.”

Schwuchow said she offers personal support to every job seeker who comes into her office, whether they have a history as a janitor or as a doctor. She emphasized, in particular, the accessibility of Job Center services to any business or employee in the community.

“You can call me. You can fax me. You can email me,” she said.

 

 

 

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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Matthew C. Hunter of Sitka recently returned from Cuba as part of a St. Olaf College International and Off-Campus Studies program. Hunter, a junior physics major at St. Olaf College, is the son of Robert and Kim Hunter of Sitka.


50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Eighth graders have returned from a visit to Juneau to see the Legislature. They had worked for it since Christmas vacation ... Clarice Johnson’s idea of a “White Elephant” sales was chosen as the best money-maker; Joe Roth won the political cartoon assignment; highest government test scorers were Ken Armstrong, Joanna Hearn, Linda Montgomery, Lisa Henry, Calvin Taylor and David Licari .....

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