State creates web-based solution for job seekers…and it actually works!
In June, state officials unveiled the Hawai‘i Career Acceleration Navigator. Gov. David Ige touted it as “a first-of-its-kind data platform to connect job seekers to careers in our post-pandemic economy.”
Sounds good, but how does it work? Pretty well, actually.
First off, it’s more than a list of posted jobs. You’re required to enter your legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number. After that, you post your resumé or enter your information manually, including education, field(s) of interest, and recent work experience.
Then, the portal—which utilizes state data and cloud technology from Amazon and Geographic Solutions—sifts through the employment stew to find the open positions you’re best-suited for.
You can also specify your goals: boosting income, exploring in-demand careers, or utilizing your top skills.
From there, you select from career paths, specific job openings, and training opportunities, and give a thumbs-up or thumbs down to various options to make the algorithm smarter and more specific.
“We are unlocking state data and technology to match and develop worker skills to meet industry needs,” said state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Anne Perreira-Eustaquio. “At the same time, eligible users can get help without sifting through dozens of government links that can lead to confusion and frustration. COVID has been hard, so we are centralizing services and putting people’s data to work to make bouncing back from it easier.”
In an era when government often seems like a source of intransigence rather than solutions, this is an actual leap forward.
Visit the Hawai‘i Career Acceleration Navigator at: hican.hawaii.gov
