The WorkSource centers located around the state have helped unemployment-insurance claimants become as much as 37 percent more likely to find work than those who didn’t receive the services. What’s more, those who used WorkSource job services were on pace to earn as much as $3000 a year more than job seekers who didn’t visit WorkSource.
The results of the study were announced yesterday at the Renton WorkSource Center, where Rep. Steve Conway joined Karen Lee, the Commissioner of the state Employment Security Department, and successful WorkSource job-seekers.
WorkSource is a partnership of Employment Security, other state agencies, local governments, colleges and nonprofit organizations that work together to provide free employment and training services to job seekers and businesses. More than 270,000 people in Washington received assistance from WorkSource in 2008.
“In a tight labor market, these WorkSource centers are valuable resources,” said Conway who chairs the House Commerce and Labor Committee. “It’s been our goal to create these centers as ‘one-stops’ to meet the needs of both the unemployed, those looking to return to school or gain new skills, and for employers looking to fill jobs.”
WorkSource centers can help job-seekers:
- Find job openings
- Learn strategies for finding a job
- Get job referrals and job search assistance
- Get help preparing your résumé and getting ready for job interviews
- Post your résumé online for employers to see
- Share job-search strategies with other job seekers (job club)
- Assess your skills and get career guidance
- Get referred to a training program
- Learn how much jobs pay and what jobs are in demand
- Computers with Internet access
- Telephones
- Fax Machine
- Copy Machine
- Video Viewing Stations
For more information, visit a local WorkSource career center or read about it online at Go2WorkSource.com.
To read the full report, click here.
