Carson, CA — The City of Carson placed workforce development at the center of its community agenda Monday as hundreds of job seekers gathered for the HIRE360 Diversity Hiring Expo at the Carson Event Center.

Hosted on behalf of Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, Mayor Pro Tem Cedric L. Hicks, Sr., and The DMB Foundation, powered by The HIRE Group, the June 30 event brought together more than 90 vendors representing a wide range of industries, career pathways and hiring opportunities.

The expo, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., drew more than 5,000 attendees. Organizers said participating vendors were prepared to offer access to at least 1,000 available jobs, with many employers ready to hire qualified candidates on the spot.

For Hicks, the job fair represented more than a one-day employment event. It was part of a broader vision to connect Carson residents with stable, good-paying careers and long-term economic opportunity.

“With over 90 vendors that are here, DWP, the industry for technology, not so much, but those that are in the technical field of dealing with plumbing, electrical, those types of services are what’s being showcased today,” Hicks said. “In addition, law enforcement is here. You have customs; you have different local law enforcement agencies, LAPD.”

Hicks said the greatest opportunities at the event were largely in service-related and technical fields, including plumbing, electrical work, public safety, and other hands-on career sectors. He emphasized that many of those fields offer wages that can help residents support themselves and their families.

“Service and technical careers are high-paying jobs,” Hicks said. “I think people are going to walk away with nice packages that will allow them to sustain themselves and their families.”

The expo also served as a resource hub for residents who may not have been fully prepared to apply that day, but who were able to meet employers, learn about qualifications, and better understand what it takes to become competitive in the current job market.

Hicks described the event as a “flagship” and “kickoff” for more workforce development efforts to come.

“If you came out and you saw who we had here as vendors, and if you weren’t prepared, now you need to know to get prepared,” Hicks said. “Know what jobs are here, talk to different employers, and know what you were lacking in your own background. Now you need to go and get that information so that you can be employable and be marketable.”

While employers across the region continue to say they are hiring, many also report difficulty finding qualified applicants. Hicks said one of the biggest barriers he sees is not always advanced training or technical skill, but basic communication and application readiness.

“One of the key things that I’ve been talking about today is that many people are not able to fill out the applications correctly,” Hicks said. “I implore my people to not stay so much on the phone, texting, and using abbreviated words. You need to be able to spell out the words in what you need to put on the application.”

Hicks said that for job seekers, the application itself is often the first test.

“That actually is a hindrance, because that cuts you off before they even talk to you,” he said. “If your application is not correct and you cannot express yourself on paper, then they don’t want to see you in person.”

He added that strong written and oral communication remain essential, especially when many job descriptions specifically list those skills as requirements.

“People don’t know how to build the application,” Hicks said. “I tell people, and they don’t understand, the application is your first process of being considered for the job. That’s not you interviewing. It’s that piece of paper.”

When asked how he would measure the success of the job fair, Hicks said attendance alone was not enough. While a large turnout matters, he said the true value lies in whether residents leave with useful information and whether employers make meaningful connections.

“I was thinking it was based upon attendance, and I thought, that’s not really good,” Hicks said. “I think it’s based upon people getting the information they need so they can be successful in life.”

He said organizers will review the event afterward to determine how many job seekers visited employer tables and whether vendors were able to engage with potential applicants.

“We do a wrap-up after we have this event to determine how many people actually went to their tables,” Hicks said. “How many signatures did they get on their boards of who came to their location, to let me know if they’re being effective or not?”

The HIRE360 Diversity Hiring Expo also reflects Carson’s larger effort to promote economic development by directly connecting residents with employers and career resources. Hicks said the event helped shine a positive light on the city’s commitment to its residents.

“It’s putting a different light, saying that the City of Carson actually looks at its residents and is trying to provide ways to make them whole,” Hicks said.

For residents who may be unemployed, underemployed or looking for a career change, Hicks said events like this offer hope and direction.

“At least you have a ray of hope that we’re working towards making sure you’re able to get employment and have a future,” Hicks said.

The event comes as cities across Los Angeles County continue to focus on workforce development, economic mobility and pathways to stable employment. In Carson, city leaders say the goal is not only to bring employers into the community but also to ensure residents are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities available.