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| About WorkSource |
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The mission of the WorkSource Austin is to provide a quality workforce that meets the changing needs of employers and job seekers enhancing the economic viability and quality of life in our community.
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Post Your Jobs With WorkSource
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The use of non-WorkSource organization names in this publication is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an offical endorsement by WorkSource of any product or service to the exclusion of others.
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Stories of Success
Each issue, we will highlight a person or organization that WorkSource has helped.
Donald Edmonson’s rapid rise from unemployed to Award-winning is a credit to his hard-work, determination, and outstanding gift for customer service. A mere 2 years ago, Donald came into the Career Center unemployed and without much hope: “I was recently released from a correctional facility and no one wanted to give me a chance,” he remembers. Although he had some work experience in the distribution industry, it seemed it was not enough for some employers to overlook his past.
After meeting with Program Specialist Cherie Dudley at WorkSource, Donald was enrolled in intensive customer service training. “It’s hard going back to school in your 40s, but I’m thankful for the support I got from WorkSource,” he says with a smile.
[FULL STORY]
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Austin among the best places to work in 2008
Two national publications rank Austin and its employers high on their annual lists.
 Austin keeps popping up in the news as one of the best places to work. Whether due to the strong job growth, low unemployment, or great weather, the Capital Area is one of the most sought-after places to find a job.
In the current edition of Forbes magazine, Austin is listed as the 3rd-Best City for Jobs in 2008. The outlook looks good across the State, too, as Fort Worth and Houston join Austin in the top-10. In fact, the predicted country-wide recession may not have as large an impact in Texas as in other parts of the nation. “While the economy is cooling, Texas continues to generate more jobs than the national average,” said Governor Perry’s press secretary. Austin ranked 2nd in the nation in overall job growth, and 1st in income growth.
[FULL STORY]
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ANewEntry helps with the reentry of ex-offenders
Employment workshops build on WorkSource services
The road to self-sufficiency often includes more than just the perfect job. Finding employment is only one piece of the puzzle, and a workforce system that focused only on employment would be neglecting the foundational needs of motivation, interaction, professionalism, etc. For some individuals, these foundational needs create barriers to finding a job, and WorkSource ensures that these needs are met by collaborating with effective, quality partners.
One such partner is ANewEntry. ANewEntry is a local non-profit located in East Austin that provides community reentry and personal integrity support for individuals recovering from losses associated with homelessness, incarceration, and addiction.
[FULL STORY]
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Two Capital Area employers honored at annual event
HEB receives award for working with area Youth
In November in Houston, Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) honored two Capital Area employers that WorkSource worked closely with in 2007. At the 11th Annual TWC Conference, HEB Grocery was presented the Future Workforce Award, while PRC, Inc. was named the Local Employer of Excellence for the Capital Area.
HEB Grocery spent last summer working with WorkSource to secure a brighter future for the Travis County workforce. As a participant in the Summer Youth Employment Program, HEB helped give over 100 high school students valuable job skills and experience.
[FULL STORY]
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WorkSource News Briefs
• Tax season is upon us again, and WorkSource will be hosting a Community Tax Center through April 15th. This will be the 5th straight year that WorkSource has partnered with Foundation Communities to provide free tax preparation assistance to eligible residents. Visit our website or call 2-1-1 for more information.
[FULL STORY]
Unemployment Rate Remains Low
According to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the unemployment rate for the Austin-Round Rock MSA* in December 2007 was 3.6 percent, up .1% from November 2007. The rate was 3.3% one year ago.
[FULL STORY]
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Career Center Visits – 4th Quarter of 2007
The three WorkSource – Career Centers received 87,600 visits in October, November, and December of 2007 for an average of about 975 per day.
· North (6505 Airport Boulevard) = 45,486
· South (4175 Freidrich Lane) = 24,019
· East (3401 Webberville Road) = 18,095
The customer visits are tracked by electronic counters on the Career Center doors and count all visits, not just unique visitors.
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