By Lookout Staff

March 11, 2021 -- From cooks and servers to hotel security guard and travel specialist the Santa Monica job market has an increasing number of openings as the local economy recovers from the coronavirus shutdown.

This month, the City launched a new website that helps Santa Monicans seeking work connect with local businesses seeking workers by listing current openings and offering the latest information on job resources, training and assistance.

The job listings -- which are updated bi-weekly -- help ensure "that buying locally and hiring locally are at the forefront of our economic recovery," City officials said.

“The City of Santa Monica is committed to supporting a strong and sustainable economic recovery for all in our community -- our youth, our families, and our businesses alike,” said Interim City Manager Lane Dilg.

“By connecting our employers to our residents, we strengthen the community ties that will hold us up as we recover together.”

Santa Monica -- whose economy relies in large part on travel, shopping, dining and entertainment -- was hard-hit by the shutdowns that left rows of stores along its business districts boarded up.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment in the city of some 93,000 reached a high in June, when 9,000 residents were out of work.

By December, that number had been cut by more than half, leaving 4,300 residents unemployed.

The City "is ready to utilize new tools to get those numbers even lower" by creating "as many opportunities as possible to help connect local employers with jobseekers."

City officials point to recent surveys of Santa Monica businesses that found that 84 percent of those currently hiring prefer to hire locally.

They also note that hiring local residents "supports a sustainable economy where money is reinvested back in the community," with $7 out of every $10 spent locally staying within Santa Monica.

The new effort to place Santa Monicans in local jobs is part of the City's Economic Recovery Task Force created to "accelerate local efforts to recover from COVID-19."

Some of the initiatives include the Ready to Work Webinar where "local employment agencies, community and educational partners share information about local employment and educational services," officials said.

A seven-part Calling All Chefs Entrepreneur Workshop Series with local chefs was also organized.

The workshop helps "bring broader awareness to how local chefs started their careers including what it takes to start and grow a food business, overcome obstacles, and build a local business," City officials said.

Local chefs from Thyme Café and Market, Earl’s Grille, La Cocina, Café Bolivar, Marmalade Café, Rustic Canyon Restaurants and LJ’s Kitchen participated in the series.

A full list of local employment preparation, job search, career training classes and programs, and tech trainings are also listed on the website.

Businesses interested in adding a local employment opportunity to the local job listings can email vap@santamonica.gov.