Unemployed struggle with opportunities, glitchy website

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dozens of job candidates at an Orlando job fair have struggled to use the state's new unemployment website.

The site had glitches when it launched Oct. 15 and it got so bad that Sen. Bill Nelson demanded a full investigation Wednesday.

Eyewitness News confronted another lawmaker about why it's taking so long to fix.

Hundreds of people come through a registration room to sign up for the job fair.

A thousand names of people not only concerned about finding a job, but about their unemployment benefits as well, filled the list.

Annette Cancela came to Friday's event with her resume and questions about how the state still hasn't fixed all the glitches on its Connect Site.

"I had to do everything all over again and I had trouble with the new system," Cancela said.

Job officials in Tallahassee claim they have a team of programmers tackling the problem but many haven't received their unemployment benefits in weeks.

Eyewitness News asked District 46 state Rep. Bruce Antone what's taking so long.

He hosted the fair and in the past has vowed to help the unemployed, but he couldn't give a solid answer.

"Again it's going to take time, and I mean, I can scream and holler and I can get them all riled up but until they get that system fixed, you know, it's not going to happen the way it should," Antone said.

The job fair is unique. A third of the employers will still consider people even if they mark yes on the job application question that asks whether people are a convicted felon.

A large percentage of Antone's district falls in that category, like Aaron Fauntleroy.

"You trying to start all over again and you try to find yourself to where you can just move on with your life and do better and it hasn't been easy," Fauntleroy said.

State officials say the unemployment website will be fixed by Monday.

WFTV