Expanding Its Role WorkOne – Indiana’s Employment Specialists By Steve Corona
Finding skilled workers for growing companies. Finding good jobs for individuals. Those are the goals of the state’s public employment system known as WorkOne and of the Indianapolis Private Industry Council (IPIC), which oversees five WorkOne centers in Marion County.
Customers who have visited the newest WorkOne center located in College Park Office Park are offering rave reviews. The facility, which opened in October 2007, is a stone’s throw from a north side Indianapolis landmark, the Pyramids office building.
The purpose of this new-concept facility is to serve the needs of jobseekers that have professional work experience but are looking for career advancement or have been downsized due to no fault of their own.
This office is unique in that it does not look like a traditional WorkOne Center. It was designed as an example of what an employment office in the state of Indiana will look like in the future as we ready our workforce for the 21st century.
Open meeting spaces, private offices and state-of-the-art technology are available for employers and jobseekers alike. It is a perfect location for hiring events and onsite interviewing with prospective employees. There is a resource area filled with tools and information – labor market research, job postings and Internet access on multiple work stations – geared toward enhancing the workforce.
Variety of services
Through our no-cost Premium Service Packages, jobseekers choose which program best fits their employment needs. For example, a person who wants to transition from one career to another may want consultation on updating their resume, interviewing advice, career planning services, career counseling and assistance with job search.
Jobseekers who have been downsized may also want resume consultation. However, these people are just as likely to need help identifying transferable skills, targeting specific employers and labor markets to see what jobs are available (along with training required), as well as assistance with submitting resumes to employers.
Others may just want help with mock interviews, how to effectively job search or online resume submission.
Advancement packages are offered to those who are seeking to enhance their career through additional education, skills training or occupational training. As a member of organizations such as the Business Professional Exchange and American Business Women Association, WorkOne employment specialists are committed to creating networking opportunities for employers and jobseekers alike. Activities include hosting job clubs, which offer members the chance to exchange ideas with other jobseekers, as well as provide information on exclusive job opportunities.
Company match
As for employers, WorkOne offers access to qualified applicants, saves companies money through reduced administrative and personnel costs, links companies at no charge to a national database that lists job openings, and provides trained workers to ensure a better employment fit and longer term employee commitment. Additionally, the staff works with companies to custom design training programs specific to individual workforce needs.
Employers are encouraged to visit WorkOne Express at College Park in order to see this new-concept office and to learn how our employment and training specialists can help find qualified candidates for employment.
Marion County’s WorkOne centers support Central Indiana’s goal to become a thriving home to jobs in high-growth, high-wage sectors such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing, high-tech distribution, information technology and the motorsports industry.
This doesn’t just happen; it’s the result of careful research and methodical planning. IPIC routinely gathers workforce intelligence by listening to what business people want and need. Anecdotal evidence is synthesized with statistical data to produce labor market studies that can be used as a basis for sound business and economic development decisions. This insight is the basis for the workforce services delivered by WorkOne employment and training specialists.
WorkOne serves new businesses, those that are expanding, as well as companies that are forced to downsize. All WorkOne activities are supported through federal funds so there is no cost to companies for services such as recruitment, applicant screening, onsite job fairs, pre-employment training assistance and outplacement services.
Author: Steve Corona is president and CEO of JobWorks, Inc. He can be contacted at (260) 458-7152 or www.workoneindy.org. Richard Sewell, vice president with responsibilities for the Indianapolis market, can be contacted at (317) 543-0350 or rsewell@jobworksinc.org
