March 15, 2010

Expanded Workforce Training to Come from State Agency Cooperation

Easier access to tools and training for unemployed Delawareans should result from a new partnership announced today by the Delaware Department of Labor and Department of Health and Social Services.

This joint initiative will be the “first of several such innovative collaborations between our departments,” said John J. McMahon, Secretary of Labor.

Beginning this week, Delawareans will find core and intensive re-employment help at the Hudson State Service Center in Newark. Hudson will be the first State Service Center offering employment and training services side-by-side other services from the Department of Health and Social Services.  It means people will find job search, training opportunities and skills assessment at the same location as medical assistance and food benefits, child support payment information and general assistance programs.

“By locating multiple services under one roof, we can provide a strong array of support to individuals who need it the most,” said Governor Jack Markell. “This provides expanded workforce training and operational efficiencies for both staff and citizens.”

The One-Stop will have a resource room for clients to develop resumes and receive core and intensive job search assistance, explore opportunities for training as well as wrap around services from the Department of Health and Social Services, such as access to food benefits, medical assistance benefits, child support payment information, and other general assistance programs that individuals may be eligible for.

“We want to support people through employment challenges and economic hardships as best we can,” said Rita Landgraf, Secretary of Health & Social Services. “This partnership gives our clients social services as well as access to other state services that they may need to assist them through their transition back to employment.”

In addition, the facility will also be the pilot location for the introduction of “WorkKeys,” a series of assessments that measure skills critical to on-the-job success. The Certificate provides an objective measurement of workplace skills that can be accepted nationwide.   While the co-location and the implementation of the WorkKeys program is made possible through funds geared towards the auto industry, any individual who visits the Hudson State Service Center and is in need of employment assistance will be able to access the services. The One-Stop will initially have a staff of ten Employment & Training professionals, including four former autoworkers.

The recent receipt of a National Emergency Grant (NEG) to serve workers from the auto industry made these further enhanced services possible. In addition, the Department of Labor and the Chrysler Corporation have reached an agreement to provide up to $10,000 in additional training funds to Chrysler workers, above and beyond any federal workforce funding. The staff will be available to discuss the process to access these funds with the affected workers.