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| For Immediate Release | Contact: Frances Squire |
| July 10, 2009 | Phone: (559) 934-2134 |
The workforce team work with youth, young adults and those in need of academic assistance, career explortation and entry-level employment services.
West Hills College, Workforce Investment Board help prepare local residents for jobs
Helping people find and be successful in jobs is a very short summary of what West Hills College and the Fresno County Workforce Investment Board team to do at the Coalinga One-Stop.
Dr. Carole Goldsmith, who heads vocational training programs for West Hills Community College District, oversees a staff of over 20 people who help youth and adults on the west side of Fresno County in their employment efforts. (A smaller staff works in Firebaugh at the WHC North District Center and throughout the west side including in Firebaugh, Kerman and Mendota).
“We work with three main populations at the One-Stop,” Goldsmith said. “First there are people who have lost their jobs and need to find a new one. Next, there are people who are in need of training and a job. Finally, there are young adults in the 14-21 age group who need academic assistance, career exploration and entry-level and employment services.”
The One-Stop also provides access to technology for job seekers, Goldsmith said.
A website, Careersinthevalley.com, provides information on finding training and or a job, career ladders and employment studies.
Training information is available on the website with drop down menus available for occupation, location of training and county.
Goldsmith gave the example of welding, which continues to be a high-demand occupation. Clients at the One-stop have the opportunity to search occupations by welding (there are several sub-specialties) and view where training is offered.
If the worker is already trained, they have the option of searching for job listings by cities and surrounding areas.
Careersinthevalley.com is a free resource for Valley residents, Goldsmith said. They will be required to log-in but access is open to all.
“The One-Step provides computers and other tools to help people with their job searches,” according to Goldsmith.
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West Hills Community College District serves the west side of the San Joaquin Valley and is part of the California Community College System. Its two colleges, West Hills College Coalinga, which includes North District Center, Firebaugh, and West Hills College Lemoore, serve more than 7,000 students on campus and online each semester.