Fill Your Tech Jobs -- Free -- And Can We Train Your Displaced Worker Clients?

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Fill Your Tech Jobs -- Free -- And Can We Train Your Displaced Worker Clients?

By John F. Maul,
Deputy Director Professional, Re-education, Outplacement and Staffing services (PROS)
Consortium for Worker Education

The Consortium for Worker Education (CWE), a nonprofit organization funded by the New York State Department of Labor and the New York City Department of Employment, was founded over ten years ago to consolidate the educational offerings of several major labor unions. CWE provides hundreds of courses to the members of over 30 labor unions in New York City.

CWE also serves those who are out of work due to company relocation, downsizing, layoffs, elimination of positions, automation, disability and other causes. Those who have been fired, quit or still have a job are not eligible.

Our Process -- Your Opportunity
CWE offers these services through two divisions:

Professional Re-employment and Outplacement Services (PROS) serves professional and executive-level workers.

Worker Career Centers (WCC) serves all others.

These programs help downsized or displaced workers gain re-employment, combining traditional outplacement services with training and job development. All our services are free.

Our job placement phase presents nonprofits, schools, agencies and corporations seeking people the opportunity to fill their tech jobs -- where technology is a focus of the job or a key skill -- without having to pay to advertise those positions nor to pay search fees. We provide both permanent and temporary staffing.

What We Provide Candidates
Through CWE, candidates create résumés, consider new careers, upgrade their skills, prepare for interviews and look for new jobs. Unlike traditional outplacement, there is no time limit a candidate can use our facilities.

After determination of eligibility and initial orientation, candidates are assigned career advisors. We help candidates develop their job-seeking skills through one-on-one sessions, workshops -- including writing an effective resume, developing a network of contacts, preparing a two-minute pitch and negotiating -- videotaped interview workshops and job-search support groups.

Once candidates are ready to enter the job market, our job development services actively seek available positions, matching industry, occupation and special skills against open jobs. We mail profiles of job-ready individuals to hiring firms and recruiters monthly, and send copies of candidates' résumés to organizations that indicate interest.

Technology Training and Access is Key
CWE provides tuition assistance for career-related training -- up to $2,000 per candidate in education vouchers -- and customized courses with City University of New York's Baruch School of Business, including financial services, business communications and the operation of health maintenance organizations (HMOs).

Our self-paced computer-based training (CBT) courses include Word, WordPerfect, Excel, Access and Powerpoint. CBT courses also available in PROS include the Internet, Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) Networking, Visual Basic, Java and Lotus Notes. We provide special computer equipment for graphic design.

Candidates have free access to computers and laser printers, copiers and fax machines to prepare résumés and letters -- as well as free access to paper, postage and telephones.

For more information, contact John F. Maul at 718-544-5490 Extension 119, PROS at 212-647-1912, WCC at 718-694-9100 or CWE at 212-647-1900.

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