Wichita Workforce Alliance Center holds resource fair for laid off workers

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held a free resource fair for Spirit AeroSystems employees who were laid off following the shutdown of the 737 MAX program.

The fair offers resources like job connections, how to file for unemployment and information on continuing education at local colleges and universities.

A total of six sessions will be held at Century II Exhibition Hall. Three were held on Monday. Three more will be held on Tuesday at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Amanda Duncan, the Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer with the Workforce Alliance Center, said the goal is to keep laid-off workers local.

"We definitely really want to keep the workforce here. One, there's jobs available. It's been a tight labor market up until this point with the major layoff announced and there's plenty of options available for people interested in work," said Duncan.

She said fairs like this allow workers to ask the tough questions and gain clarification.

"Representatives from Topeka are onsite to respond to questions which really gives workers peace of mind so they can get questions answered, said Duncan. "Unemployment can sometimes be difficult to understand or complicated as they file," said Duncan. "This gives them the opportunity to ask directed questions to unemployment individuals and also learn about services that are available for re-employment."

Matthew Hardaway is one of the thousands of workers affected by the mass layoff at Spirit. He said he ound the resource fair helpful.

"I'm glad that the City of Wichita is taking the time to help out- all the people that have been laid off," Hardaway said.

Anyone unable to the event on Monday and Tuesday, you can receive the same information in-person at the Wichita Workforce Alliance Center or any of the other 24 workforce centers loss the state of Kansas.