ONE STOP CAREER CENTERS CUSTOMER HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 Workforce Alliance CT Department of Labor Human Resource Agency ONE STOP CAREER CENTERS CUSTOMER HANDBOOK 3 Convenient Locations CT Works New Haven 560 Ella T. Grasso Blvd. New Haven, CT (203) CT Works Hamden 37 Marne Street Hamden, CT (203) CT Works Meriden 85 West Main St. Meriden, CT (203) Computer Lab - Fax & Copy Machines - Resume Assistance - Mailing Services - Job Postings Connecticut Job Bank Workshops - Career Guidance - Individual Employment P1ans - Job Development - Child Care Assistance - Transportation Assistance Referral to Other Services - Training Assistance

2 CORE SERVICES * Computer Lab * Resource Room * Workshops COMPUTER LAB The Computer Lab is available for you to use to develop and refine your resume and to conduct your job search. It is open to individuals who know how to use a computer. The computers are equipped with special resume writing software to make working on your resume easier. A place where customers can put together a resume and cover letter Internet Access Fax Machines Copy Machines Mailing Service RESOURCE ROOM The resource room provides: Various Connecticut Newspapers Employment Information Educational Exploration Information Business & Entrepreneur Information College Guides Career Information Financial Aid Guides Career Exploration Please note: In some locations there are no public telephones available at the One-Stop Center. Food or Drink is not allowed in the Computer Labs or at individual appointments. Cell Phones are not allowed and must be turned off or to vibrate. Children are not allowed at CTWorks. ONES TOP SERVICES ORIENTATION This workshop provides an orientation to the One-Stop Career Center and includes an overview of services available and an opportunity for questions and answers.

3 WORKSHOPS A wide array of free workshops is offered throughout the month. The workshops cover a variety of employment related topics including: Job Search Strategies: This workshop gives an overview of job search strategies -telephone skills, networking the hidden job market, and interviewing tips. Internet Job Search: This workshop provides assistance with navigating the Internet to maximize your job search. You will be directed to web sites that contain valuable up-to-date job postings and employment advice. Resumes (basic): This workshop covers basic resume preparation, how to deal with gaps in employment or background problems, and how to get your resume noticed! Interviewing: Covers the various interviews skills required, preparing for the interview and how to handle those "tough questions". Jobs In The Green Economy: By presenting this information on "Going Green", the hope is that you will be able to grab hold of this evolving, growing, consuming world philosophy and find a focal point from which you can take advantage of present and future "Green Job Opportunities." Ca reer Pathways & Assessment: This workshop is designed to discover the most important elements of personal happiness. Participants will explore careers that are perfect matches to their skills and interests, but also occupation that inspire them, motivates their desire to perform better and work harder. An ONET Assessment will be administered as well. Keyboarding: Facilitator guided, self-paced computer based typing skills development program, using the Mavis Beacon Typing training systems. Computer Basic: This class offers participants with no computer experience a chance to become familiar with a personal computer. The program concentrates on identification of the basic parts of a computer, techniques for using a mouse and examination of some fundamentals of the Windows operating system.

4 Practical Money Skills for Financial Success: This class offers participant information about creating and working with a personal budget, identifying long and short term goals, credit, savings and banking services. Ex-O f fenders Programs: Learn about special programs available and how to answer those difficult questions when re-entering the job market. Con tact Freeman Holloway at ext. 260 for more information. Youth Employment Series: This series for youth employment seekers will cover job seeking situations unique to youth, including how to compensate for little or no experience, dressing to impress and career ladders. Contact Juan Fontanez at ext. 238 for more information. There are also a variety of workshops available in the evening, usually on a Monday and Wednesday in New Haven and Meriden only, from 5:00-6:00. Please check our monthly calendar or with staff for workshop titles and registration. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Labor Market Information The Department of Labor Office of Research routinely monitors Connecticut's economy and its impact upon the work force. If you're looking for the latest data on wages by occupation or the fastest growing jobs in the state, visit the Connecticut Department of Labor website in our computer lab CT Job Central (Connecticut's New Job Bank) You can also visit to access Job Banks throughout the country. This site will also provide resume and cover letter preparation and other important information. Job Fairs Information about Job Fairs will be posted in the Career Center and on the Connecticut Department of Labor website. Career Exploration Assistance Not sure what you want to do? Ask for a copy of the Career Exploration Assessment or the brochure "Not Just Any Job" which outlines opportunities for self-assessment, personality testing, and career exploration available on the internet. These tools can help you identify the most fulfilling career path and assist with exploration of personal and professional goals.

5 Career Guidance INTENSIVE SERVICE Career Guidance - Job Development -Training Our Employment Specialists are here to assist/advise customers on possible solutions to a variety of career related concerns. Career counseling involves the customer in an interview or series of interviews with a trained Employment Specialist to identify suitable vocational options and potential strategies to resolve employment barriers. You must attend a One Stop Services Orientation to meet with an Employment Specialist. Job Development Job Developers work within the community and local companies to fill job openings as they occur. You may work with a Job Developer** to match your skills and abilities to an employer's specific job demands. ** Customers must be referred to job development by an Employment Specialist. Talk to your Employment Specialist if you are interested in this service. Individual Training Accounts In 1998, Congress enacted the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) which came into effect on July 1, The new Federal requirement changes the eligibility for training and requires that you try to find employment first by utilizing our Core and Intensive services. Under this act, individuals who qualify for training may be awarded an Individual Training Account (ITA) subsidy which allows you to choose training from a list of approved training vendors.

6 Frequently Asked Questions How do I get Training? You may be eligible for training after you demonstrate that you have been unsuccessful in finding employment through the other Core and Intensive services and if you meet the eligibility requirements of WIA. Our Employment Specialists can explore all of your training options with you. We have limited funds available for individual training accounts, which would allow you to select a training vendor from our list of approved vendors. Employment Specialists can work with you to locate training to obtain a special license or certification, or will assist you in the application process. What kind of jobs do you have? We have access to jobs at all skill levels. How do I get a job? You can find a job through many avenues at CT Works One-Stop Career Center. You can: Utilize the Internet for job search through our Computer Lab Utilize Job Bank on the Internet and post your resume here Use the newspapers and other publications in the Resource Room Attend a Job Fair See a visiting employer Can you help with child care? Employment Specialists can assist you in exploring all the options available to you for child care.

7 What are the steps I should follow to benefit from the One-Stop services? Step1. Initial Contact: Customer contacts Career Center through drop-in, telephone, self-referral, or partner agency refe1tal. Step2. Career Center registration: Customer must enter their information in the CTWBS system through logging on to the Career Center computer. Step3. Career Center Core Services: Career Center services are available to all customers on Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Step4. One-Stop Services Orientation: Customer must sign-up in person or by telephone for this session which includes: Description of Core Services (computer lab for self-directed job search) Resume preparation options Calendar of Workshops Information about W.I.A. (training and job development services) Definition of customer categories (Low-Income I Dislocated Worker) Distribution/Explanation of W.I.A. Packet: A WIA complete packet must include: Completed Resume Completed Job Search log Completion of Workshops (1) Completed Career Assessment Inventory, if applicable Dislocated Worker Certification, if applicable Expectations for Registered W.I.A. Customers Math/Reading Assessment (for customers with less than a Bachelor's Degree) Scheduling an appointment with an Employment Specialist for a Follow-up Interview Step5. Follow-up Interview: Customer meets with Employment Specialist to review completed W.I.A. packet, verify income eligibility or dislocated worker status, complete intake, and discuss employment goals and plans. CT WORKS is a partnership between Workforce Alliance, CT Department of Labor & Human Resource Agency.

8