The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce debuted the new Virtual One-Stop system for jobseekers and employers on Monday, August 30.

The website, www.SConestop.org, serves the same function as the agency's 38 offices around the state, which is to connect employers and jobseekers.

"The Virtual One-Stop has been a long time in planning and development," said Executive Director John L. Finan. "We've had other job search engines in the past, but we wanted something more modern, more on the cutting edge of technology. I think all of our customers, both job seekers and employers, are going to see a dramatic improvement and a much more effective system."

"The advantage of www.SConestop.org is that it is literally one search engine that encompasses all the results you would find at the other search engines into one place," said Courtney Nowak of the SCDEW Workforce Development Program. "So instead of subscribing to all of these other search engines, when you register at S.C. One-Stop, create a resume and start searching for jobs, you're not only looking at the jobs that the agency, the Department of Employment and Workforce, has recruited on to the site, you're looking at jobs that are coming from search engines all over the nation."

Job seekers will be able to access the site 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from any Internet connection, including Smartphones (such as iPhone or BlackBerry.). Users can also use Resume Builder software -- which is searchable by employers -- or import an existing resume. It also connects to all other major job search engines, greatly expanding the reach of customers. Registration at the website is free.

Job seekers can also take advantage of:

* Job Market Explorer, which tells which jobs are in demand.
* Skills and Career Assessment Tools.
* Background Wizard, which allows you to build and publish up to 10 distinct resumes.
* Virtual Recruiter, which looks all over the web for jobs that meet your criteria.
* Education information, which tells about training programs in your area.
* Online learning resources, which provides information on free training and open courseware, from GED assistance to continuing education.
* Budget help, which explains how to build a household budget, apply for financial aid, and prepare a transitional budget for tough times.

Employers will be able to search locally, statewide and nationally for either potential employees' resumes or labor market statistics. Employer tools include:

* Virtual Recruiter, which schedules automated candidate searches tailored to talent needs.
* Real-time labor market information to provide details about the available workforce.
* Industry, wage and occupational data.
* Information about registered jobseekers, training opportunities, and workforce development programs.
* Employee relations, EEO, workplace wellness, and incentive information. Find guidance about labor laws, personnel management, and potential eligibility for special perks.

SCVOS is developed and maintained by a national developer of multiple top-rated job search sites, recognized by the US Department of Labor.

Dollar General Literacy Foundation and the Ad Council have partnered on a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign that aims to help high school dropouts get started on the road to their GED® Diploma. This is a great initiative to help people learn about local opportunities, including starting on your GED at Adult Education Centers in Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens Counties. At www.yourged.com, you can find a center by zip code and learn the six steps to complete your GED.

The Summer Youth Employment Program, administered by WorkLink Workforce Investment Board, provides work-readiness and soft-skills classes and work experience to youth in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties. In Anderson School District 4, 41 students participated in the 2010 program. Their work experience continues at 17 different work sites through July 1, 2010.

“We are extremely pleased with the opportunities WorkLink gives our young people,” said Dr. Lee D’Andrea, superintendent of Anderson School District 4. “The program is better this year than last year with all the revisions and efforts to have students really engaged in work experiences. The adults in the program offer our students both a teacher and a mentor. We hope the young people will take every advantage of the work experience and the networking."

Students age 16-21 who face barriers to their education or employment were invited to participate in the program in Anderson School District 4. They earned a stipend of $50 for each of the two classes completed and $7.25 for each hour of work experience in local businesses.

The program is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Anderson School District 4 has also been able to provide lunches and snacks thanks to donations from area restaurants.

WorkLink and the school district partnered to provide school buses to transport the students to and from their work sites in Anderson, Pendleton and Clemson. Employment for some of the students will continue after the program ends.

“All three students placed at Walgreen’s in Clemson have been hired,” said Anderson School District 4 site director Cheryl Colber. “Other employers also want to hire participants. We’re really excited about that.”

Employers supervised the students during the four-week program and provided training on general job skills, as well as industry-specific techniques.

According to Stephen Beckmann, manager of the Walgreen’s Pharmacy in Clemson, “The program gives [youth] an opportunity to work. It gives the employer an opportunity to see the work ethic the students have. Overall, it makes hiring decisions easier.”
WorkLink’s Summer Youth Employment Program continues for in-school youth at Hamilton Career Center in Oconee County and for out-of-school youth in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties. Palmetto Youth Connections manages the out-of-school youth program for up to 75 youth ages 17-24. All positions have been filled.

WorkLink Workforce Investment Board has established Access Points for job search services at local libraries, adult education centers, and other community centers. As part of the Sharing How Access to Resources Empowers (SHARE) Network, these Access Points offer access to a computer, through which job seekers will find online links to the several of the core services or job seeker services available at OneStop Workforce Centers in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties.

Official Access Point locations include Anderson County Library System, Oconee County Public Library System, Pickens County Library System, Pickens County Adult Education, Oconee County Adult Education, Anderson County Adult Education – Districts 1 & 2, Anderson County Adult Education – District 3, 4, & 5, and Anderson Interfaith Ministries. Online resources are also accessible from any location at http://www.worklinkweb.com/access-point/index.php.

Access Points are available to everyone and are designed as self-service activities. Job seekers are encouraged to help themselves to these online resources and may be referred to the OneStop Workforce Centers for additional assistance and the full range of core services.

Job seekers accessing the online resources can choose from various stages of their job search, from filing for unemployment insurance to understanding their skills and interests. Tutorials and templates are available for creating a resume and cover letter, and links help entrepreneurial job seekers explore working from home or starting their own business. The services also include information on basic computer skills and educational opportunities.

WorkLink Workforce Investment Board provides these core services through the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Intensive and Training Services also are available to job seekers who meet eligibility requirements. For more information, visit any of the Access Points, your local OneStop Workforce Center or www.worklinkweb.com. To establish an Access Point at other locations, contact Amy Jessee, Outreach & Grant Writing Coordinator for WorkLink, at ajessee@worklinkweb.com or (864) 646-1468.