Willow Glen Resident
News
Photograph by Vicki Thompson
New Opportunities: Work2future, a one-stop center in San Jose, opened on Dec. 7. The facility offers a multitude of free job-seeker services. Jessica Regalado (right) and Alan Alsop take advantage of the job search computers.
New one-stop center is job source
By Lisa Neves Woldt
San Jose's Work2Future program, a one-stop employment center, got off to a rousing start with "Good morning, San Jose! Let's celebrate community!" in eight languages including Arabic, Ethiopian, Bosnian and Tagalog accompanied by West African drumming.
One-Stop San Jose Center opened its doors Dec. 7. The 66,000-square-foot building at the corner on Parkmoor Avenue, between Lincoln Avenue and Race Street, brings together government, business, education and training partners under one roof. The program offers a full range of employment services through its Work2Future program.
Formerly known as the Silicon Valley Workforce Investment Network, the program is designed to help job seekers and businesses stay competitive in a rapidly changing economy.
Hundreds of people from throughout San Jose were invited to participate in the day-long event featuring workshops and classes, tours of the three-story building, and an awards ceremonies that recognized businesses and organizations that have helped individuals turn their lives around or provided them with jobs. The day closed with a job fair with more than 20 companies actively recruiting in the health-care, banking, retail, security and restaurant industries.
During the opening ceremony, Derek Wise, chairman of the 45-member board, said he is extremely proud to be involved in the organization.
"It's the culmination of more than a year's worth of work, and a sign of what government is supposed to do. This is our opportunity to show the community, city and world what a one-stop center can be."
Outgoing San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales was invited to cut ribbons in several colors symbolizing San Jose's diverse communities. As a long-time supporter of workforce investment programs, Gonzales said part of his job is making sure people are employed and stay employed.
"I'm all about finding ways to improve the lives of others, and that's what this program has done," he said.
One-Stop San Jose is one of 400 centers in California and 800 across the country funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Labor. The centers evolved out of comprehensive legislation reform under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which mandated a variety of workforce-related programs, including Work2Future, be made available to the public.
Other One-Stop centers in Santa Clara County include Gilroy, Morgan Hill and Campbell, located at 2450 S. Bascom Ave. There is also a One-Stop mobile unit that visits libraries and community centers.
The Work2Future program was previously located on Story Road and King Street. The center served more than 100,000 people last year, according to Work2future program executive director Jeff Ruster, who said the challenge is not in attracting new clients, but making the community aware of the center.
"People tend to think of us as an unemployment office," said Ruster, "but that's not really what we're all about. Our purpose is also to serve business and connect them with qualified job candidates."
Business services manager B.J. Sims said her staff promotes Work2Future to businesses on Lincoln Avenue and all over Willow Glen.
Businesses of all sizes often request prescreened candidates whom her department readily provides, along with many other services, Sims said. She said they also conduct "warm handovers" for new business owners, making appointments with appropriate contacts and preparing them to meet with such specialized agencies as legal or payroll services.
"We don't want people to fail, or make it hard to do business," she said.
Willow Glen resident Rosemary Lazetera is a former client. Laid off from a customer service position in 2003, Lazetera went to the Campbell center to search for jobs online. She signed up for the program and found she related well to others who had been laid off. She was eventually hired as a program assistant for Work2Future. "This position gives me the opportunity to take classes to keep up-to-date on procedures and customer service skills," she said.
And, she adds, perhaps an opportunity to go back to college.
The grand opening marked the debut of the new Geomapper software program, introduced via a Google Earth, 3-D presentation. A valuable information tool for job seekers, as well as long-term planners, the Geomapper is a geography-based program that cannot only pinpoint industries in specific areas, but can also provide valuable industrial statistics. Of particular importance are the historic and forecasting capabilities inherent in the program.
For more information on the Work2Future program and One-Stop San Jose Center, 1290 Parkmoor Ave., call 408.277.2727 or visit www.work2future.biz.
