PHX Reporter

The city of Phoenix recently held a refugee-focused Mobile Career Unit hiring event.

The International Rescue Committee, Chicanos Por La Causa, Phoenix Refugee Connections, Friendly House, and Catholic Charities worked to connect refugees with jobs, according to a news release from the mayor's office. City officials encouraged participants to apply for positions in departments such as Street Transportation and Parks and Recreation.

"The Mobile Career Unit (MCU) is innovative in its approach of meeting job seekers where they are at with job opportunities right here in their community, so it makes sense that the MCU be utilized to assist refugees looking for work," Kate Gallego, mayor of Phoenix, said in the news release.

Council member Yassamin Ansari said she was pleased that the city offered the MCU hiring event.

“I've worked extensively with refugee communities throughout my career, and I've always been impressed with their level of education, diverse skill sets, and their commitment to making a positive impact in their new home," Ansari said in the news release. "But, many newly arriving refugees lack access to reliable transit [and] needed technology, and language barriers pose challenges when job searching. I'm incredibly proud that our city is meeting our new residents where they're at and bringing wraparound services to ensure all-around success."

Gallego promoted the event and encouraged applicants to visit.

"The Mobile Career Unit (MCU) will be on the road tomorrow at 9 a.m. for a refugee-focused hiring event," Gallego said in a Twitter post on Oct. 31. "The MCU has proven itself to be successful with multiple 'on-the-spot' hires, and I look forward to hearing about more success stories tomorrow."