Unisys Career Fair Boosts Local Expansion Efforts

Organizers of a recent career fair for the world-wide information technology firm Unysis are calling the event a major success. The event, held at the Charleston Civic Center, attracted dozens of qualified candidates to possibly fill 15 immediate openings in Charleston.

Company officials conducted interviews with qualified candidates on the spot.

The Charleston Area Alliance and the West Virginia Department of Commerce helped Unisys organize the March 5 event. Jennifer Bowman, senior manager for Unisys, said the turnout demonstrates the region’s skilled workforce and the ability of organizations such as the Alliance to mobilize those who want to succeed in the Kanawha Valley.

“Our West Virginia career fair was very successful for us,” Bowman said. “We now have a significant pool of extremely qualified West Virginia candidates to fill our current positions, and we can look to these applicants when future hiring opportunities arise.”

Unisys Corporation plans to expand the number of employees in its Charleston office to support Medicaid claims processing in West Virginia and surrounding states. The Fortune 500 company will be adding to its current staff of 85.

“Unisys is investing in the region because it believes in West Virginia, and that confidence was confirmed after the Career Fair,” said Alliance President and CEO Matt Ballard. “We were proud of the results and are excited an important employer in Charleston will be expanding during a time of economic challenge. Unisys is helping to build a more vibrant community and prosperous economy.”

Anticipating a need for future employees, Unisys is working with the Community and Technical College System (CTCS) of West Virginia on a new educational initiative. The company and colleges are partnering to develop curriculum to certify participants in Medicaid proficiency.

The new educational program may be ready for students to enroll as early as the fall 2009 semesters.

“Through this educational initiative, Unisys helps prospective employees secure the training they will need to work with us,” said Teresa DiMarco, president of Unisys Health Information Management. “The students will find that certification will open doors to many career opportunities with Unisys, hospitals, insurance companies, Medicaid agencies and more.”