Brooklyn, NY - Hikind Secures Commitments From Financial Institutions To Better Promote Job Opportunities To Charedim |
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News Source: VIN News Staff
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Brooklyn, NY - Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) met today with vice-presidents, branch managers, personal bankers, and human resources personnel from nearly a dozen banks based in Boro Park, and secured commitments from them to conduct better outreach efforts to alert the community about vacancies and training opportunities. Astoria Federal Savings, Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, Dime, HSBC, Sovereign Bank, and TD Bank are just some of the institutions which were represented.
This meeting was the culmination of a month-long survey of 22 local banks in Boro Park conducted by Hikind’s staff, which revealed that the Orthodox Jewish community is underrepresented in the existing workforce of local banks. Hikind’s staff had also surveyed a dozen local banks located in Chinatown and half-dozen banks in Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights as a means of comparison. Surveyors found that more than a dozen banks serving the Boro Park community had not made a concerted effort to recruit, train or hire local people, which was not the case in the other neighborhoods.
“We want to work with you to put more people in the community to work at your banks,” Hikind said in his introductory remarks. “We have been successful in putting 67 people back to work as a result of a job fair we recently held with the Orthodox Union.”
Hikind noted the overwhelming presence of banks in Boro Park, particularly along 13th Avenue, and remarked, “Your banks do very well in our community – which is great – we give you a lot of business. . . but it’s important to give back to the community as well.” Hikind also stressed that Boro Park is home to some of the “best and brightest” individuals who would prove to be a great asset to these banks.
Managers responded that although they post vacancies online, few, if any people from the community actually apply. Hikind explained that the internet is not widely used in the community, and suggested banks should advertise in Jewish and Yiddish publications instead.
Mr. Zisha Novoseller, Executive Director of the Emergency Parnossa Initiative (EPI), also brought greetings at the meeting, and highlighted EPI’s ongoing efforts to find people suitable employment. In addressing those assembled, Novoseller said, “My organization will work with your recruiters to ensure that we send you candidates who have already been interviewed and vetted by us, so you don’t have to sift through hundreds of résumés. You know the people we send you will be appropriate.”
Those who are interested in being considered for positions at local banks should e-mail a résumé and cover letter to jobs@epinetworking.org 
.
Assemblyman Hikind was interviewed today by radio show host Zev Brenner. the interview will be aired tonight.
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Read Comments (18) — Post Yours »
1
May 05, 2011 at 02:18 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
"Managers responded that although they post vacancies online, few, if any people from the community actually apply. Hikind explained that the internet is not widely used in the community, and suggested banks should advertise in Jewish and Yiddish publications instead."
Azoy...the banks should try to recruit tellers and loan managers who "don't use the internet" and instead post their vacancies in the yiddish newpapers. What a joke. If someone cannot use a computer or isn't familiar with the internet and search functions, why would any bank manager in their right mind want such an employee? Maybe Hikind should focus on getting the his constituents to become more computer literate and develop internet skills and other basic job skills .
2
May 05, 2011 at 02:47 PM YidelfromBP Says:Report as Inappropriate
As far as Astoria Bank on 13 & 53 I have a simple step for them!
CLOSE THE BRANCH!
it’s a waist of electric, Gas,
There is only 4 employees (including Manager, Tellers, Investment dept. Customer service) in a 4,000 sqft.Bank!
If you try to go there on Friday try to get in line from 10 in the morning so you can be out by 2:59 PM when they close
An average deposit to the teller takes approx. 15-20 min. and they only focus on making sure that you know they have a great offer for life insurance.....
Don’t ask my why I still have a account there
3
May 05, 2011 at 03:01 PM Aryeh Says:Report as Inappropriate
What does surfing the Internet have to do with computer skills or knowledge of finance? Anonymous betrays a prejudice, methinks.
4
May 05, 2011 at 03:26 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ What does surfing the Internet have to do with computer skills or knowledge of finance? Anonymous betrays a prejudice, methinks. ”
If a jobless individual with the requisite skills is unwilling to seek employment opportunities on the internet sites of prospective employers (where most job announcements are now posted), I doubt they have the skills or maturity to assume a position with a bank. We are not asking people to "surf" the internet. If you are unemployed or underemployed and refuse to seek job opportunities, it speaks very poorly of your motivation and intellect.
5
May 05, 2011 at 03:34 PM Velvel Says:Report as Inappropriate
Now the ball is in our court to apply for the jobs, let's see how many actually do.
6
May 05, 2011 at 03:38 PM UseYourHead Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ What does surfing the Internet have to do with computer skills or knowledge of finance? Anonymous betrays a prejudice, methinks. ”
I'd bet there is a scientifically demonstrable correlation between Internet usage and computer/finance knowledge. I.e., those who use the Internet, as a group, are likely more knowledgeable than those who don't. Do you disagree with this assertion?
7
May 05, 2011 at 04:05 PM SmartBoy Says:Report as Inappropriate
I got a job through EPI, they saved my life!! Kudos to them and much Hatzlacha on this new endeavor.. Zisha Novoseller a pumping heart for Klal Yisroel - the recruiters are exceptionally dedicated and smart..
8
May 05, 2011 at 05:32 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I'd bet there is a scientifically demonstrable correlation between Internet usage and computer/finance knowledge. I.e., those who use the Internet, as a group, are likely more knowledgeable than those who don't. Do you disagree with this assertion? ”
Virtually all the major providers of financial services work exclusively on the internet. Most banks are trying to move the large percentgage of their smaller customers to online banking. Looking up virtually any information requires instant access to the internet and basic knowledge of web search skills. Jobs are all posted on the internet. If Hikind somehow thinks that banks will seek out non-computer literate job applicants through ads in דער איד than he really needs to get a refresher course in reality 101.
9
May 05, 2011 at 05:37 PM Yossi Says:Report as Inappropriate
Dear Mr. Hikind
Please make sure that the yiddishe stores ,supermarkets and local business hire yidden before we go to the banks...I bank at Citibank on 54th and 13th and they have great customer service,never a line to make a deposit and 6 working ATM machines .
Once those jobs will open watch who will sit behind those bullet proof windows....
10
May 05, 2011 at 09:02 PM PMOinFL Says:Report as Inappropriate
I'm sorry to say, but if you have "do not use the Internet", you will probably not get hired. No employer wants somebody who is going to be a "problem" for them.
If you can't even see clearly enough to go to a library to learn basic skills and search for a job in the PRIMARY way that jobs are advertised, you are going to be an issue for your employer.
As an IT Director, I can tell you that if a candidate told me that they don't use the Internet, I would absolutely not hire them. Moderate-to-advanced computer skills is a requirement for almost every job in our organization. Someone who REFUSES to use the Internet would just not be a good fit.
Our children today are for the most part uneducated beyond a 9th grade level. Yeshivos teach the bare minimum the state will let them get away with... not what is best for the kids. I must be honest... I wouldn't hire most of the yidden I know because they are just not qualified to do anything in my department. At best they could work on the maintenance staff starting at a minimum wage.
You can't imagine, as an educated person, how much that failure of my generation to properly educate our kids deeply saddens me.
11
May 05, 2011 at 10:46 PM UseYourHead Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Virtually all the major providers of financial services work exclusively on the internet. Most banks are trying to move the large percentgage of their smaller customers to online banking. Looking up virtually any information requires instant access to the internet and basic knowledge of web search skills. Jobs are all posted on the internet. If Hikind somehow thinks that banks will seek out non-computer literate job applicants through ads in דער איד than he really needs to get a refresher course in reality 101. ”
I think you replied to the wrong person. I was making exactly that point.
12
May 05, 2011 at 11:00 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I'm sorry to say, but if you have "do not use the Internet", you will probably not get hired. No employer wants somebody who is going to be a "problem" for them.
If you can't even see clearly enough to go to a library to learn basic skills and search for a job in the PRIMARY way that jobs are advertised, you are going to be an issue for your employer.
As an IT Director, I can tell you that if a candidate told me that they don't use the Internet, I would absolutely not hire them. Moderate-to-advanced computer skills is a requirement for almost every job in our organization. Someone who REFUSES to use the Internet would just not be a good fit.
Our children today are for the most part uneducated beyond a 9th grade level. Yeshivos teach the bare minimum the state will let them get away with... not what is best for the kids. I must be honest... I wouldn't hire most of the yidden I know because they are just not qualified to do anything in my department. At best they could work on the maintenance staff starting at a minimum wage.
You can't imagine, as an educated person, how much that failure of my generation to properly educate our kids deeply saddens me. ”
Your comments are 100 percent on point. The failure of some yeshivot to provide their students with advanced computer skills, including internet research techniques, is irresponsible. Whats even more disgusting is the ill advised efforts of some rabbonim and roshei yeshivot to literally assur the internet and threatening to expel any students found to have computers at home (and doing so under the misguided pretext of protecting them from pritzus).
13
May 05, 2011 at 11:33 PM SmartBoy Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I'm sorry to say, but if you have "do not use the Internet", you will probably not get hired. No employer wants somebody who is going to be a "problem" for them.
If you can't even see clearly enough to go to a library to learn basic skills and search for a job in the PRIMARY way that jobs are advertised, you are going to be an issue for your employer.
As an IT Director, I can tell you that if a candidate told me that they don't use the Internet, I would absolutely not hire them. Moderate-to-advanced computer skills is a requirement for almost every job in our organization. Someone who REFUSES to use the Internet would just not be a good fit.
Our children today are for the most part uneducated beyond a 9th grade level. Yeshivos teach the bare minimum the state will let them get away with... not what is best for the kids. I must be honest... I wouldn't hire most of the yidden I know because they are just not qualified to do anything in my department. At best they could work on the maintenance staff starting at a minimum wage.
You can't imagine, as an educated person, how much that failure of my generation to properly educate our kids deeply saddens me. ”
Dont think of your self high almighty... Since you know them that is what makes it hard for you to hire them - they would probably NOT hire you if it would be the other side around, EVEN with your education..
14
May 06, 2011 at 12:43 AM PMOinFL Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Dont think of your self high almighty... Since you know them that is what makes it hard for you to hire them - they would probably NOT hire you if it would be the other side around, EVEN with your education.. ”
It is not about being "high and mighty". Everything today is done with computers and the ability to navigate the internet at an advanced level is a requirement for most any decent job today. That's a fact, my friend.
I work for a healthcare network. Even our check-in people in the lobbies of our hospitals has to be skilled at using the web as all of their work is done using browser-based applications on our intranet. The people I know who are struggling the most are not even skilled enough to do that job. So, if that is the "entry level" for the uneducated, what more could they do? They could probably clean up biohazard spills, but they would still need to get onto a thin-client terminal to fill out an incident report in a timely fashion.
That is life today. High-tech.
My generation truly believed we were doing right by our kids by letting them spend more time learning and less time building a foundation for parnossah. It was a mistake. A big one. We have created a generation that cannot adequately survive on its own.
I happen to know for a fact that many educated, middle-aged men like me feel shame over it. We failed, and there is nothing we can do about it now.
15
May 06, 2011 at 09:25 AM SmartBoy Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ It is not about being "high and mighty". Everything today is done with computers and the ability to navigate the internet at an advanced level is a requirement for most any decent job today. That's a fact, my friend.
I work for a healthcare network. Even our check-in people in the lobbies of our hospitals has to be skilled at using the web as all of their work is done using browser-based applications on our intranet. The people I know who are struggling the most are not even skilled enough to do that job. So, if that is the "entry level" for the uneducated, what more could they do? They could probably clean up biohazard spills, but they would still need to get onto a thin-client terminal to fill out an incident report in a timely fashion.
That is life today. High-tech.
My generation truly believed we were doing right by our kids by letting them spend more time learning and less time building a foundation for parnossah. It was a mistake. A big one. We have created a generation that cannot adequately survive on its own.
I happen to know for a fact that many educated, middle-aged men like me feel shame over it. We failed, and there is nothing we can do about it now. ”
That is what you learned in College how to browse the Intranet??? Any Yeshiva Bacher in my area can do that... Besides, if they are slow and only qualify to "clean up biohazard spills" that was a problem before computers where invented!! I dont think education would help them either..
16
May 06, 2011 at 12:44 PM PMOinFL Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ That is what you learned in College how to browse the Intranet??? Any Yeshiva Bacher in my area can do that... Besides, if they are slow and only qualify to "clean up biohazard spills" that was a problem before computers where invented!! I dont think education would help them either.. ”
That is a silly statement.
I actually know people who have never seen the Internet and have not touched a computer more than a handful of times in their lives. Trust me when I tell you that there are plenty of people who wouldn't even know what to do with the mouse. Does your company provide typing lessons? Does your company pay for courses in basic computing? I don't know any that do.
Go read a job board. Go search through the job listings for jobs paying more than minimum wage. Then think of how many people you know who don't fit the bill for the most basic of those jobs.
Unless you are living in a strictly modern-orthodox environment, you surely know at least a few people who could never cut it.
17
May 06, 2011 at 04:44 PM SmartBoy Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ That is a silly statement.
I actually know people who have never seen the Internet and have not touched a computer more than a handful of times in their lives. Trust me when I tell you that there are plenty of people who wouldn't even know what to do with the mouse. Does your company provide typing lessons? Does your company pay for courses in basic computing? I don't know any that do.
Go read a job board. Go search through the job listings for jobs paying more than minimum wage. Then think of how many people you know who don't fit the bill for the most basic of those jobs.
Unless you are living in a strictly modern-orthodox environment, you surely know at least a few people who could never cut it. ”
I never went to any course or class on computers, I am self taught from A-Z and I have superb and depth expertise both in hardware and software... so again, if someone cant figure out how to use a mouse they would probably have not been qualified 200 years ago or back in stone age to make a living.. I do know plenty of such people and they are nebach!
18
May 08, 2011 at 07:55 PM PMOinFL Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I never went to any course or class on computers, I am self taught from A-Z and I have superb and depth expertise both in hardware and software... so again, if someone cant figure out how to use a mouse they would probably have not been qualified 200 years ago or back in stone age to make a living.. I do know plenty of such people and they are nebach! ”
Self taught? That's great. However, who was willing to hire you with no degree, no formal training and no certifications? Short of a minimum-wage tech support job, what could you possibly do? OR, did someone support you and pay your bills while you were teaching yourself?