For those looking for help finding employment, the Department of Labor has a lot more to offer than just an unemployment check.
Two Georgia Department of Labor career centers serve the area. One is located in downtown Augusta (601 Greene Street, Augusta, GA – 706-721-3131) and the other is in Thomson (232 Main Street, Thomson, GA – 706-595-3665). Each offers a variety of resources for job seekers.
If you are looking for an online alternative to visiting the career center, you can check out the Georgia Labor Market Explorer at explorer.dol.state.ga.us.
The state Department of Labor website maintains a calendar of events available to job seekers, which includes upcoming job fairs and a list of employers currently working with local career centers.
For example, Augusta’s career center is currently working with employers including Fedex Ground, Allied Barton, Microhotel, Liberty National, FPL, Mommy On Call, Rescare of Georgia, Teleperformance USA, Virginia College, International Paper and Schneider Trucking.
They are also coordinating with the Greater Augusta Employer Committee to offer a regional job fair featuring more than 60 employers on Thursday, June 25. The event will be held at Augusta State University’s Christenberry Fieldhouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A partner organization, the Richmond/Burke Counties Workforce Investment System’s One Stop program, collaborates to offers job seekers a number of similar benefits and access to additional services from organizations including AARP, Experience Works, Goodwill, Vocational Rehabilitation, Job Corps, Housing Authority, Augusta Technical College and others.
They offer services from the downtown career center, Goodwill Industries on Peach Orchard Road and Augusta Tech’s Waynesboro campus.
If you stop by an office (usually open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), the staff offers a variety of services, including:
Education and Training Services
Information and guidance about career options, occupational classroom training, financial aid resources, and other training services that might be available in the area such as on-the-job training or customized training, access to the Workforce Investment Act Individual Training Account Eligible Provider/Program List system (training programs eligible for WIA Individual Training Account funding) and Georgia Career Information System (GCIS).
Support Services
Potential eligibility through the Workforce Investment Act for transportation, childcare, tools, uniforms and other needs while in training or when starting work.
Personal Employment Assistance
Individual career exploration, assessment and counseling, and job search assistance from highly trained professionals.
Local and National Job Listings
The world’s largest job listing network and on-line, job referral request system.
Resources Areas
Access to PCs, laser printers, the latest word-processing and résumé writing software, Internet, e-mail, telephone, fax, job search skills workshops, books, videos, and more.
Job Search and Financial Management Workshops
Workshops about writing résumés and cover letters, turning a job interview into a job offer, negotiating a higher salary, and tips on stretching income while searching for a job.
Self-Help Library
Books, videos, software and a variety of career exploration tools available to assist in preparing for a career.
Labor Market Information
Employment trends, area profiles, market projections, job outlook, and wage information.
Assistive Technology (AT)
The latest state-of-the-art equipment for customers with visual and/or hearing impairments.
Veterans Services
Specialized veteran staff to provide employment assistance to all military veterans
Federal Bonding Program
Assistance program for individuals who are unable to obtain commercial bonding required by employers.
Seasonal Farm Worker Services
Information on and referral to agricultural jobs in certain areas of the state.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Information about weekly monetary assistance using a PC based self-entry system.
Special Population Services
Services tailored to the needs of the older worker, youth, TANF customers, persons with disabilities, etc.
Sources: Georgia Department Of Labor, Richmond-Burke County One Stop websites.
