Employers and job seekers invited to participate in AHEAD Symposium and Job Fair in San Antonio on May 29, 2014

SAN ANTONIO — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Alamo Area Disability Alliance and Workforce Solutions Alamo are sponsoring two events May 29 to encourage diversity in hiring. The AHEAD: Alliances Helping Employers Achieve Diversity Symposium and Job Fair will be held at the Norris Conference Center, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, A18, San Antonio 78201. The symposium will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CDT with a job fair to follow from noon to 4 p.m.

"At OFCCP, our job is to protect workers, promote diversity and enforce the laws that require companies with federal contracts to provide equal opportunity in the workplace," said OFCCP Southwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Director Melissa L. Speer. "Events like this, which connect workers with employers, are an important part of ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used to create good job opportunities for all workers."

On March 24, OFCCP's new rules updating the regulations under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act went into effect. These revised regulations strengthen the nondiscrimination and affirmative action requirements of federal contractors with respect to improving job opportunities for protected veterans and qualified workers with disabilities. The symposium will highlight the new rules and will include speakers from the hosting agencies as well as a video message from Rep. Henry Cuellar.

The sponsoring organizations share the common goal of promoting and ensuring equal opportunity for all individuals, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. AHEAD's objective is to unite employers with job-seeking veterans and individuals with disabilities, while helping employers achieve diversity in their workforce. This is the second annual AHEAD Symposium and Job Fair. Approximately 85 local businesses will participate, including private employers and government contractors.

Employers interested in participating in the Symposium and Job Fair can register at http://conta.cc/1mt7wjQ. Both events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required for job seekers. For general questions regarding the Symposium and Job Fair, contact Patricia Benavides at 210-472-5835, ext. 233, or at benavides.patricia@dol.gov.

OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These three laws require those who do business with the federal government, both contractors and subcontractors, to follow the fair and reasonable standard that they not discriminate in employment on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. Additional information is available at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp.