One-Stop Center Assists Public with Employment and Training Services

CONTACT: GLENN HELLENGA, EXT. 2165

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/1/2001
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Tri-County Technical College's One-Stop Center, which has been providing free assistance with 'job seeking and keeping' skills since October 1999, welcomes Fred Pearman on board.

Pearman, an employee of the S.C. Employment Security Commission and a certifier for the Workforce Investment Act, now has an office based on campus (Pickens 126A) where he assists adults with employment and training services. The WIA of 1998 created a comprehensive workforce investment system and established one-stop centers as access points where individuals can increase their employment opportunities by taking advantage of a variety of services.

The College's One-Stop Center complements the services available at the Job Services offices in Anderson, Seneca and Liberty. The Center has computers to assist clients with their job searches at the local, state and national levels. Visitors have access to Internet job searches for job openings and company profiles. In addition to serving people who are seeking job upgrades, staff members help dislocated workers who want to re-enter the workforce. These workers have an opportunity to reassess their interests and skills and to see what transferable skills they have to seek gainful employment.

"We assess the education, experience, training and abilities they already have developed," said Pearman. "We also serve employers by providing someone with skills that match the area's job openings so someone has a better chance of succeeding in the workplace. We have a responsibility to match a person with a job opening that is appropriate."

WIA Secretary Mimi Daniels and Pearman guide visitors through enrollment into American's workforce system, a databank of available workers and their history of employment, education, interests and abilities. Persons can see job openings, county by county, and Pearman and Daniels refer them to employers to apply for jobs for which they qualify.

Some may need additional training to be successful in many of these jobs and may take qualify to take advantage of the Center's Training Services. "We provide a comprehensive assessment of their skills and interests," added Pearman. "Some may require additional training, and others may just need career counseling and assessment." Videos and CDs with tips on finding, applying for and interviewing for jobs are available, also.

"Just as the S.C. Employment Security Commission is in partnership with Tri-County, other community agencies which serve the public are our partners. If our customers tell us of needs which might be served by our partners, we will make referrals for supportive services," said Pearman.

Pearman's office hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Contact him at Ext. 2224 at one of these numbers: Anderson County, 225-2250; Oconee County -- 882-4412; Pickens County -- 859-7033; or Clemson/Anderson/Pendleton -- 646-8361. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled should call TDD/VOICE 1-800-735-2905.
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