With the goal of creating more and better-paying job and career opportunities for the community, StepUp Wilmington is launching its new brand, Beyond Talent, according to an announcement Monday.
 
Beyond Talent is a division of StepUp Wilmington and a new initiative that, in addition to partnering job candidates with employers, will help support business growth in the region and create a self-sustaining funding stream for the nonprofit, the announcement stated.
 
“Beyond Talent will serve as the job placement division for StepUp Wilmington, building off of our existing model, placing our talent into jobs with area employers,” StepUp Wilmington executive director Will Rikard said in the announcement.
 
Since August, StepUp has obtained 20 contracts with companies in the region, placing 23 candidates into jobs with an average wage of $13.20 an hour and created $66,000 in total revenue, officials said.
 
“This is a proven model, and we have big ambitions and goals to make Beyond Talent the premier staffing resource in the Cape Fear area,” Rikard said.
 
Services that the new brand will provide include candidate evaluation, job readiness training and pre/post-employment support such as human resources and business administration.
 
According to the Beyond Talent website, the initiative specializes in recruitment, training and placement for transitional and temporary employment and direct hire positions.
 
StepUp Wilmington is an organization founded in 2013 that serves people affected by unemployment and underemployment.
 
This announcement from the nonprofit comes during a time where many employers are finding it difficult to recruit employees, with many hosting hiring events and raising wages to get workers.
 
“StepUp Wilmington will continue to do what it does best, partnering with and supporting hundreds of residents and families every year while providing the training and support needed to lead stable and prosperous lives,” Rikard said. “This is an exciting time for StepUp Wilmington, as we continue to look for new ways to reduce poverty, and increase prosperity and opportunity for all of our residents.”