Area companies seek to hire laid off, furloughed people

A pair of health care related organizations in the region are among the latest companies — joining Publix, Target and other retailers — seeking to hire workers who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.

One company, Englewood-based Advocate Health Advisors, specializes in health insurance consulting for Medicare enrollees and people turning 65. The other entity is Vi, a Chicago-based senior living developer that operates 10 continuing care retirement communities nationwide, including Vi at Bentley Village in Naples.

Advocate Health Advisors, according to a statement, is interested in talking with insurance agents who would like to get involved with the Medicare Advantage sector. It also seeks to speak with people looking to launch a new career, in health insurance. Advocate Health Advisors also has a Veterans Initiative Program that enables military veterans to help fellow veterans with VA benefits and Medicare choices.

“We are helping community members address their concerns about access, cost and quality of care,” says Darwin Hale, CEO of Advocate Health Advisors, in the statement. “And right now we would like to help those who have been laid off in Southwest Florida who may be interested in pivoting in their careers and working with us.”

Those interested in setting up an in interview over Skype call 800-709-5513 or submit contact information here.

Vi, meanwhile, recently established partnerships with leading global hospitality companies Hilton and Hyatt to provide jobs to workers at these corporations let go or furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company offers customer service, culinary, dining, maintenance and housekeeping professionals a variety of temporary, part-time, and full-time positions, the release states.

“While the hospitality industry is experiencing unprecedented challenges, this is a global fight that we are all facing together,” says Vi Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Learning, and Organizational Development Judy Whitcomb in the release. “We are proud to partner with leading organizations like Hilton and Hyatt during these unprecedented times to offer career opportunities to workers in the hospitality industry who have suddenly found themselves without a job in the wake of this pandemic.