National Capital Area On Employment, Cultural & Small Business Opportunities For Hispanics.

The U.S. General Services Administration’s National Capital Region (GSA/NCR) has announced a new Hispanic initiative that focuses on recruiting and employment opportunities, cultural awareness in the workplace, and access to federal contracting for Hispanic Americans. This initiative developed in concert with the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (VAHCC) is the first of its kind for GSA/NCR.

Regional Administrator Donald C. Williams described the initiative as “a great opportunity for GSA to reach the Hispanic community here in the Washington metropolitan area. He continued, “We are proud to be working with the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on this history making initiative. We share a commitment to provide opportunities for the Hispanic community. Together we will fulfill our goal.”

The initiative targets increases in Hispanic employment in the region by aggressively concentrating GSA’s recruiting activities in the Hispanic community. Beginning in June, GSA/NCR will conduct employment workshops and job fairs, hosted by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, the VAHCC has begun posting NCR job vacancy announcements on its website. To promote understanding of the Hispanic culture in the workplace, NCR begins an associate’s program in May to provide information on Hispanic traditions, history, and language. More in-depth programs will be offered for program and project managers, recruiters, contracting professionals, and others who interact frequently with the Hispanic community.

To ensure that the Hispanic Business community has access to the government’s business opportunities, NCR has launched a training program focused on Hispanic Business owners and representatives. Topics include assistance in understanding federal acquisition regulations and developing strategies for marketing to government agencies. Additionally, NCR will host a major conference for Hispanic Businesses in August 2005. The event will provide specialized training and consulting, as well as networking opportunities with both prime vendors and agencies’ contracting personnel.

For more information at http://www.gsa.gov