WELCOME TO Rev

The Purpose of this Orientation  What is Workforce Connection?  What does Workforce Connection Offer?  How do you access these services? Rev

Our Mission Statement Workforce Connection is dedicated to providing assistance to motivated candidates to increase their potential value in the marketplace and ensure that employers get the very best person for the job. Rev

What Is Our Job? Our job is to help you prepare for a career. We are not an employment agency. Because the job market is more competitive now than ever – Our services will provide you the tools to: – Become a stronger candidate – Conduct an effective job search that will assist you in getting the job you want FACT: The only person that can get you a job and keep it is YOU! Rev

The reality in today’s Job Market is… Fact:You are responsible for getting yourself a job Fact: The economy is continuing to decline Fact:You may be competing with other job seekers that have more education and/or experience than you Fact:80,000 people in Fresno County are currently looking for employment (competition is tough) Fact:Jobs and careers that you’ve held for many years no longer exist - old jobs have been phased out Fact:Many of you will have to look for jobs/careers in other fields or industries Fact:More and more employers are requiring that applicants have some type of certification, diploma, degree, or license REALITY CHECK Rev

What is Workforce Connection? Partner Agencies  Clovis Adult Education  Fresno Adult School  Fresno City and Fresno County Housing Authorities  Fresno County Department of Social Services  Fresno County Economic Opportunity Commission  Fresno Regional Workforce Investment Board  Workforce Connection Service Providers  State of California Department of Rehabilitation  State of California Employment Development Department  State Center Community College District  West Hills Community College District  Fresno Madera Area Agency on Aging Rev

There are options for you to choose from depending upon your specific needs. Self Directed Services Referrals to Partner Agencies WIA Staff Assisted Service Training Services What Does Workforce Connection Offer? Rev

Self Directed Services  Partner referrals  Job boards  Internet access  Career Pillar Interview Mentor  CalJOBS  Daily Jobs Listings  Daily classified section from the Fresno Bee  Phones to call employers  Fax to send out resumes and cover letters  Copy machine  Labor market information  Access to community resources  Resource library  Prepare a resume Navigate The World Wide Web Rev

Computer Screen Icons The following are a few of the computer links available on each computer to provide you with direct links to websites that will help you do career exploration and research.  CalJOBS SM  careeronestop.org  eapply4UI  myskillsmyfuture  mynextmove Navigate The World Wide Web Rev

Resource Room Activity Guidelines Resource Room Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. A Passport card is required for Resource Room usage  No food or drinks allowed  You will be asked to leave for inappropriate use of equipment  If the resource room is busy a two-hour limit will be imposed on the use of equipment  Each location has specific guidelines regarding the availability of childcare at the Resource Room Rev

Workforce Connection Dress Code  All Job Seekers are required to comply with the Workforce Connection Dress Code in the Resource Room and during participation in staff assisted services.  You may be asked to leave for inappropriate attire.  Workforce Connection is a business setting and our focus is providing you the tools to attain employment, for this reason we want to make sure you are dressed appropriately.  You may have the opportunity to interview with potential employers and you may not get a second chance to make a good first impression. Rev

Interest Worksheet Rev

Referrals to Partner Agencies Job Search Assistance You may be referred to additional services if you: Have served in the military  Veteran Services Are a Native American such as American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian  California Indian Manpower Consortium Have a disability  Department of Rehabilitation Have a degree and/or management experience  Central Valley Professionals Rev

You may be referred to additional services if you: Are receiving SSI or SSDI  Ticket to Success Are a migrant or seasonal farm worker  EDD Migrant Seasonal Farm workers program  Proteus Farm workers Program Are 55 years or older  Fresno Madera Area Agency on Aging  A.A.R.P.  SER Jobs for Progress, Inc. Are interested in starting your own business  Small Business Development Center / Central Valley Business Incubator Are a dislocated worker or having difficulty finding employment  Services under the WIA Program Referrals (Continued) Rev

First Things First – Job Search Preparation Contact: Resource Room Front Desk Staff to reserve a seat Learn the essential tools to begin an effective job search Career Pillar Interview Mentor Develop interviewing skills with interactive online tutorials Referrals (Continued) Free Workshops/Other Job Preparation Resources Rev

Family/Individual Assistance Housing assistance for qualified families or individuals may be available: Are you interested in Housing Subsidies?  HUD Rental Assistance/Section 8 Are you interested in purchasing a home?  HUD Home Ownership Programs Are you homeless or in need of Shelter?  Homeless Assistance  Emergency Shelter Referrals (Continued) Rev

Temporary Assistance The following services are provided by the Fresno County Department of Social Services:  Cash Assistance TANF/CalWORKs General Relief  Medi-Cal/MSP  Food Stamps  Success Center Referrals (Continued)

Are you interested in getting your High School Diploma, GED or Post High School Education? Adult Schools City of Fresno Learn2Earn Community Colleges Help and information is available upon request. Educational Opportunities Referrals (Continued) Rev

WIA Staff Assisted Services WIA Staff assisted services include but are not limited to: Career Assessments Career Guidance Educational & Training Opportunities Assistance with barriers to employment Job Readiness Workshops You Must meet WIA Requirements to access the following services: Rev

WIA Staff Assisted Services Vocational Training Services The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that by 2018, 63 percent of all jobs will require some type of post-high school training credential.  Based on your financial situation, WIA may have resources to assist you if you do not have the ability to cover the cost of items such as: tuition, textbooks, uniforms, supplies, licensure and/or certification fees for training in demand occupations.  To be considered for a training scholarship, you must meet all minimum assessment requirements for the occupation. Rev

WIA Staff Assisted Services Referrals If you are interested in Staff Assisted Services you must complete the following: CASAS Reading & Math Assessment Self-Reliance Team (SRT) Interview Job Seeker Agreement Rev

Are There Expectations? If you do not qualify for WIA services we will direct you to the best resources possible to assist you in your job search. We want to prepare you to reach your goal of securing and maintaining employment. Let’s be clear on exactly what is expected of YOU and what is expected of US. #1: WIA is not an entitlement program #2: 25K people visit the One Stop System each year. We only have the ability to serve 1,500 in staff assisted services. #3: Not everyone will qualify for WIA Staff Assisted Services Of Course There Are! Rev

Our Expectations of You Commitment to completing the job readiness process, getting and keeping employment. Dedication as you will be required to attend appointments, workshops, and participate in job search activities. CCWRC meeting all requirements to earn the CCWRC and using it as a tool to market yourself to employers. Rev

Your Expectations of Us We can: Measure your current skill level and provide resources to close the gap between your current skills and the level required for your desired occupation. Provide staff assistance and direct you to additional resources if needed to assist you in your job search. Provide you assistance with: – Developing your individual employment plan – Conducting career exploration to identify occupational goals, – Evaluating your job readiness – Preparation for an effective job search through your participation in job readiness workshops, creating a professional resume, conducting mock interviews, networking tips and how to use the internet for job search. Once you have gone through the job readiness evaluation and received the CCWRC, we will be able to share available job leads for you to pursue. Rev

We Cannot… We can’t: Ensure that you will gain the skills necessary to secure employment. Continue to provide services if you do not return phone calls, come to appointments or follow through with your commitment as agreed to in the Job Seeker Participation Agreement. Send you to training if you don’t meet the minimum qualifications. Help you succeed in your job search if you do not actively participate. Market you to employers or provide job referrals if you do not earn the CCWRC. Rev

Workforce Connection Program Flow Rev

Selective Service Registration The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) requires that a The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) requires that a determination of selective service registration status be made prior to enrollment in WIA Title I-B funded programs. All males who are at least 18 years of age and born after December 31, 1959, and who are not in the armed forces on active duty, must be registered for the selective service. All males who are at least 18 years of age and born after December 31, 1959, and who are not in the armed forces on active duty, must be registered for the selective service. The amendments to the Military Selective Service Act (MSSA) provide that services must be denied to a male applicant 26 years or older, if it is determined that he knowingly and willfully failed to register. The amendments to the Military Selective Service Act (MSSA) provide that services must be denied to a male applicant 26 years or older, if it is determined that he knowingly and willfully failed to register. You may check your selective service status online at or call the Registration Information Office at (847) to obtain your Selective Service number. You may check your selective service status online at or call the Registration Information Office at (847) to obtain your Selective Service number. Rev

How Do I Access These Services?  Give your completed Interest Worksheet to the orientation facilitator. Please be aware that:  Each program has their own eligibility criteria.  A referral may be provided to the appropriate agency. Rev

Referral Sheet Rev

Community Resources 211 – United Way Rev

Questions? If you would like further assistance please see one of our friendly staff members. Rev

Thank you! & Have a nice day! Rev