The Tri-Cities One-Stop Career Center at Ohlone’s Newark campus is providing services to about 32 job-seekers every day. The One-Stop is open to the public and provides assistance in obtaining jobs. At the beginning of each semester, the One-Stop welcomes Ohlone students to visit and use its job search resources. Upon graduation, students also use the One-Stop. The One-Stop is open to the general public. On March 31, 2010, if NUMMI closes as scheduled, and lays off 4,700 automotive employees, the One-Stop expects hundreds of job seekers to walk through its doors. The One-stop is prepared for this influx. Yanni Zeng, student services assistant said, “Every week, One-Stop counselors are visiting the NUMMI plant in Fremont and providing career planning and job search strategies to NUMMI employees.” NUMMI, a General Motors and Toyota car manufacturer, employs assembly line workers, team leaders, supervisors and technicians who work together to build cars. It is the largest employer in Alameda County and operates its plant in Fremont. Soon NUMMI employees will seek employment outside of the automobile industry.Tina Dodson, director of One-Stop said, “Due to the downturn in the economy, One-Stop is integral for job search resources.” What does an applicant encounter when he or she utilizes the One-Stop? A job-seeker can just drop in to the One-Stop. He or she is greeted by a student services assistant who provides an application. After it is filled out, the One-Stop gives the applicant an East Bay Works card and a calendar of events and he or she is encouraged to attend a Workforce Investment orientation class. The applicant is given a tour of the resource room, which has computer terminals with Internet access, a phone bank, newspapers and a fax machine. One-Stop’s counselors encourage the applicant to be self-sufficient. One-Stop provides many options for the applicant to succeed in a self-directed job search. The One-Stop applicant can register with CalJOBS, a division of the California Employment Development Department. The applicant can enter a resume into the online system and an automated job search is conducted to match the applicant to potential employers. The applicant may be assigned to a case manager. Two job developers work at the One-Stop to connect employers to job applicants. Some employers go to the One-Stop and recruit employees. If the applicant cannot find a job on his own, he or she may be referred to the State of California’s Eligible Training Provider list which is online at http:/etpl.edd.car.gov/wiaetplind.htm. This list provides the names of training providers in every county in the state which are funded by the Workforce Investment Act. Included on this list are two courses in environmental science, ENVS 104 – solar photovoltaic design and installation, taught at the Newark campus. These courses were developed by Dr. Gale Carli and are funded by the Workforce Investment Board of Alameda County. The applicant can apply to take training courses on the list, and the WIA will pay the tuition. The One-Stop also encourages applicants to obtain training in Bay Area colleges and universities. The One-Stop provides a Workforce Investment Act orientation and a WIA Application Session every week to demonstrate how to use the online provider list and how to apply for classes. The Act is designed to provide training to put people back to work as soon as possible. Dr. Carli’s environmental science courses fit those requirements. Courses that achieve that goal and other WIA requirements, can be funded by the Act through the Workforce Investment Board in Alameda County. The One-Stop process typically takes about two months. The WIA pays the applicants tuition for the class. Finally, if the job seeker feels stressed out, he can attend Drop-in Stress counseling session or a Reduces Your Job Search Stresss Work shop.The One Stop is in room 1211 at Ohlone’s Newark campus and can be reached by telephone: (510) 742-2323, or online at www.tricitiesonestop.com
By Kathryn Dixon
Staff writer
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