By : Julia Hollister
Bob had been doing administrative work and was burned out. He wanted to get into accounting, but didn't know how to accomplish his long-term goal. Then he stepped into San Francisco's One-Stop Career Center and things began to change.
"We have one of the best kept secrets for the jobseeker," declares James Whelly, director of the city's One-Stop Career Center. "We have state-of-the-art skill assessment here for free. We also have information for referrals to vocational training."
Clients see a drop-in advisor who reviews their work history and discusses ideas and plans for moving into another career. A three-hour vocational assessment test and a session to interpret the results follows.
"This allows you to get a better understanding of his or her aptitude and skills," Whelly explains. "The computerized test matches the individual's strong points to job titles."
After two or three weeks, staff managers then offer direction as to the next step - to go back to school or make the transition to a new career path without the need for training.
In Bob's case, "he took our assessment exam and we talked about the experience he already had," recalls vocational assessor Kathy Knudson. "He decided to take a weekend college course provided by San Francisco City College that was offered Friday night, Saturday and Sunday."
During the work week he was on temporary job assignments while brushing up on basic admin skills using Word, Excel, Power Point and Quick Books. He took interviewing classes at the center and the Job Club to get support. Eventually, his temp jobs in accounts receivable led to a permanent position in a company's accounting department.
"All his six months training and classes were free," Knudson relates. "He said he could not have afforded the college tuition on his own." Those interested in similar training should register in advance at the Career Center.
Walk-Ins Welcome
You don't have to be unemployed to take advantage of the state's other Employment Development Department career centers.
"Anyone can come off the street and have universal access," explains Jeff Ruster, executive director of the San Jose Workforce Investment Board. "You can be fully employed or nonemployed and have access to our computer center, database and specialized workshops."
The program also enrolls youth and adult clients who have been laid off or been dealing with long-term unemployment. They get more intensive services, he states, including one-on-one sessions with a case manager who does an assessment and helps clients put together resumes, prepare for interviews and expand basic skills.
"We train in a variety of hot, (high) demand occupations for the future," Ruster notes. "These are bioscience, software, information technology, healthcare, retail, hospitality and financial services."
If one of these areas is of special interest, case managers will offer advice, market research, and referrals to specific agencies to begin the job search. "We also have the names of the top plays in a specific industry," he relates. "Workshops and career days round out the job plan."
Kathie Sheppard with EDD's Job Club Resource Center in Modesto recalls a poignant success story. "We had a lady who was missing her right hand because of a birth defect. But that did not deter her from her goal of wanting to be a certified nurse's aide."
The staff did a vocational assessment at no cost and determined from those in the nursing profession that she had the skills to enter a program. She recently graduated from an eight-week training program through a local convalescent hospital and will be employed there.
"Her story is fantastic because she did not recognize that she had a disability," Sheppard says. "We just offered career guidance and realized she could work her way around any problem. She did the rest."
Pick a Program
If you are considering a career in healthcare, design, paralegal or criminal justice work, then Maric College might be a good place to start the New Year. Formerly known as California College and CEI, Maric has campuses in Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield, LA County, Orange County, San Diego and Palm Springs.
Sacramento's director of admissions Charlie Reese notes that Maric can be an affordable alternative for workers who feel stuck in dead-end jobs that bring them no joy.
"Our courses take around 18 months to complete, at an average cost of $20,725, and there is financial aid available. The medical programs take eight months to complete. Residential and commercial interior design is a hot career because of all the new construction in California."
National Training Institute in Stockton has computer programs for those who want to become computer literate, as well as courses in computer building and repair. Business office systems and medical office administration and billing are also on the curriculum. "This is one of the most popular programs students are choosing because there will always be a need for those services," explains school director Doris Naval. "This 15-week program includes front and back office and costs $5,600, or $6,600 with a computer purchase."
She is particularly proud of one student, a recent graduate and single parent with five children who had to find a new way to make a better living for her family.
"She had been working as a waitress and in the fast-food industry and had no computer skills," Naval remembers. "She applied for financial aid and then chose a business course, became computer literate, and graduated with honors." Even with the demands of her family, she managed to put in extra hours of study to make her goal a reality.
"She is now in a position to apply for jobs that will pay her more," Naval says with pride. "Rachel stands out because she was driven to succeed. I have no doubt she will be hired."
Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia
Bob had been doing administrative work and was burned out. He wanted to get into accounting, but didn't know how to accomplish his long-term goal. Then he stepped into San Francisco's One-Stop Career Center and things began to change.
"We have one of the best kept secrets for the jobseeker," declares James Whelly, director of the city's One-Stop Career Center. "We have state-of-the-art skill assessment here for free. We also have information for referrals to vocational training."
Clients see a drop-in advisor who reviews their work history and discusses ideas and plans for moving into another career. A three-hour vocational assessment test and a session to interpret the results follows.
"This allows you to get a better understanding of his or her aptitude and skills," Whelly explains. "The computerized test matches the individual's strong points to job titles."
After two or three weeks, staff managers then offer direction as to the next step - to go back to school or make the transition to a new career path without the need for training.
In Bob's case, "he took our assessment exam and we talked about the experience he already had," recalls vocational assessor Kathy Knudson. "He decided to take a weekend college course provided by San Francisco City College that was offered Friday night, Saturday and Sunday."
During the work week he was on temporary job assignments while brushing up on basic admin skills using Word, Excel, Power Point and Quick Books. He took interviewing classes at the center and the Job Club to get support. Eventually, his temp jobs in accounts receivable led to a permanent position in a company's accounting department.
"All his six months training and classes were free," Knudson relates. "He said he could not have afforded the college tuition on his own." Those interested in similar training should register in advance at the Career Center.
Walk-Ins Welcome
You don't have to be unemployed to take advantage of the state's other Employment Development Department career centers.
"Anyone can come off the street and have universal access," explains Jeff Ruster, executive director of the San Jose Workforce Investment Board. "You can be fully employed or nonemployed and have access to our computer center, database and specialized workshops."
The program also enrolls youth and adult clients who have been laid off or been dealing with long-term unemployment. They get more intensive services, he states, including one-on-one sessions with a case manager who does an assessment and helps clients put together resumes, prepare for interviews and expand basic skills.
"We train in a variety of hot, (high) demand occupations for the future," Ruster notes. "These are bioscience, software, information technology, healthcare, retail, hospitality and financial services."
If one of these areas is of special interest, case managers will offer advice, market research, and referrals to specific agencies to begin the job search. "We also have the names of the top plays in a specific industry," he relates. "Workshops and career days round out the job plan."
Kathie Sheppard with EDD's Job Club Resource Center in Modesto recalls a poignant success story. "We had a lady who was missing her right hand because of a birth defect. But that did not deter her from her goal of wanting to be a certified nurse's aide."
The staff did a vocational assessment at no cost and determined from those in the nursing profession that she had the skills to enter a program. She recently graduated from an eight-week training program through a local convalescent hospital and will be employed there.
"Her story is fantastic because she did not recognize that she had a disability," Sheppard says. "We just offered career guidance and realized she could work her way around any problem. She did the rest."
Pick a Program
If you are considering a career in healthcare, design, paralegal or criminal justice work, then Maric College might be a good place to start the New Year. Formerly known as California College and CEI, Maric has campuses in Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield, LA County, Orange County, San Diego and Palm Springs.
Sacramento's director of admissions Charlie Reese notes that Maric can be an affordable alternative for workers who feel stuck in dead-end jobs that bring them no joy.
"Our courses take around 18 months to complete, at an average cost of $20,725, and there is financial aid available. The medical programs take eight months to complete. Residential and commercial interior design is a hot career because of all the new construction in California."
National Training Institute in Stockton has computer programs for those who want to become computer literate, as well as courses in computer building and repair. Business office systems and medical office administration and billing are also on the curriculum. "This is one of the most popular programs students are choosing because there will always be a need for those services," explains school director Doris Naval. "This 15-week program includes front and back office and costs $5,600, or $6,600 with a computer purchase."
She is particularly proud of one student, a recent graduate and single parent with five children who had to find a new way to make a better living for her family.
"She had been working as a waitress and in the fast-food industry and had no computer skills," Naval remembers. "She applied for financial aid and then chose a business course, became computer literate, and graduated with honors." Even with the demands of her family, she managed to put in extra hours of study to make her goal a reality.
"She is now in a position to apply for jobs that will pay her more," Naval says with pride. "Rachel stands out because she was driven to succeed. I have no doubt she will be hired."
Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia
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