Workforce Solutions offer free event to job seekers

By Shawn Larson

Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas staff will be on-site at the Atlanta Public Library on Thursday, August 8, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM to assist area job seekers. There is no cost to attend and job seekers can stop by any time during that threehour window to discuss job search, resume tips, interviewing techniques, or other workforce-related topics.

Workforce Solutions provides, “In the simplest terms, we connect employers with job seekers,” says Bart Spivey, Business Development Project Manager for Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas. “The State of Texas has an online job posting portal, www.workintexas.com. Employers can post jobs to this portal and job seekers can search for and apply for jobs.”

Some of the other services they assist with include helping job seekers with job search, resume writing/editing, interviewing tips, financial literacy, and training. They also help eligible individuals request funding to pay for high demand job training at the local community college, says Spivey.

“Workforce Solutions has funds to assist in payment of quality childcare for eligible parents. We also help area childcare providers improve the quality of care provided through the Texas Rising Star program. Our Workforce Offices/Centers have resource rooms with computers, copy machines, phone, and fax machines that job seekers can use to search for jobs,” continues Spivey.

For those wanting their resume evaluated it is best if they bring a copy on a zip disk so they can help you make the changes, however, if all you have is a paper copy of your resume, that is fine says Sivey. “Either is fine, but a portable flash drive is the easiest way for our staff to review and suggest any changes.”

If you don’t have a resume Sives says that their “staff can also help someone create a resume. In fact, the Atlanta Library has a resume creator program available on its resource computers.”

For those looking for work, job seekers should know that “area jobs are posted on www.workintexas.com. Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas staff work throughout the area to connect with employers and encourage them to post job openings on this website. Job postings include those from health care, manufacturing, finance, retail, hospitality, construction, information technology, and education. Job postings range from entry-level positions to those that require experience or formal education,” states Spivey.

For those that can’t make it to the event, Spivey says that “job seekers are always welcome to visit or call our workforce centers Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The two closest workforce centers are located in Texarkana and Mt Pleasant.

Spivey explains that “The Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas partnership with area libraries is a relatively new initiative. Our services area includes nine counties in Northeast Texas: Bowie, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Morris, Red River, and Titus. However, we only have Workforce Center Offices in four of those counties, located in Texarkana, Mount Pleasant, Paris, and Sulphur Springs. In an effort to better serve the five counties that do not have a Workforce Center, Workforce Solutions is partnering with the county libraries in Cass, Delta, Franklin, Morris, and Red River to offer on-site workforce services.

“Our staff currently rotates among the five library locations every two weeks. We have a session at the Atlanta Library every 2-3 months. We promote these events, and other events like job fairs, through our website: www.netxworkforce.org, and our social media accounts,” continued Spivey.

The event is great for people looking for work in all stages of their job search. Whether it is their first time, they are thinking about changing jobs, need help with a job transition, or is in between jobs the Workforce provides opportunities for it seems everyone. “If someone is currently unemployed and looking for work, our staff can help them register a Work In Texas.com account to start using this job search option.

Our staff will also be able to help them create or edit a resume. The staff can also offer tips on area job search, interviewing, and job applications. The Workforce workers will also have some information available about our services such as high demand job training and childcare assistance,” says Spivey.

Anyone old enough to work can participate in the event. “ In some cases, someone as young as 16 can work in the hospitality or retail industry. However, most jobs require someone to be at least 18 years of age. Spivey explains.

To get more information job seekers can always view their calendar of events on www.netxworkforce.org. Also, you can follow them on Facebook to get updates on events such as the library sessions and job fairs.