Being laid off from a job can be devastating. The loss of income and security are hard enough but the blow to self-esteem can also be great. You do not need to go through this transition alone.
Workforce Solutions' Dislocated Worker Program is an important resource for laid-off workers. Employment-related services are available at no cost to eligible individuals to help them find employment again. An employment counselor will offer a listening ear, coping mechanisms, multiple resources, help creating a resume, interviewing assistance, job search strategies, job leads, skill building or retraining.
Specifically, Workforce Solutions' job counselors will help you:
- Assess your interest and skills
- Develop career goals
- Funding (based on eligibility) post-secondary education, business start-up training
- Locate community services, including personal or legal counseling, health care, and English-as-a-Second Language
- Obtain your high school diploma
- Learn to conduct a job search
- Find job leads
"Most significant for me was the encouragement I received from my counselor. Our face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and email contact helped keep me on track and moving forward" said one of our former participants.
To get started, visit the North Saint Paul WorkForce Center located at 2098 11th Avenue East in North Saint Paul to sign up for the next registration/orientation. The WorkForce Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If eligible, you will be assigned a registration date and given a list of the information you need to bring to the registration session, including proof of unemployment insurance eligibility. After the registration, you will work with an employment counselor to develop an employment plan which may include funding for retraining or skill building.
Getting started on the road to a new job is not an easy process. You may exeprience periods of low self-esteem and doubts about re-entering the workforce. Being realistic is paramount. One of our participant's said, “Workforce Solutions’ Dislocated Worker Program helped me feel confident and empowered. I learned how to develop and maintain a positive attitude, learned to believe in myself, my family, and a host of others, including the employers who granted me interviews.” Workforce Solutions is available to provide the support and guidance you need for a successful job search.
If you have questions, you can reach the WorkForce Center at 651-779-5666. While you are waiting for your registration date, below are some resources you may find helpful.
Workforce Centers
Visit one of Ramsey County’s WorkForce Centers for job search resources available to the public. Some of the resources are:
- FREE Workshops – designed to help job seekers with all aspects of job search, including Creative Job Search, Job Search in Mid-Life, Résumé, Interviewing, Networking, Taking Control of Stress and Grief, Internet Job Search. The workshops will also give you a chance to interact with other people who are going through a job transition.
- Use of computers, printers, and fax machines
- Internet access
- Business directories
- Job leads
- Advice from placement staff
- Individual assistance with résumé writing
- Work Keys assessments and basic skill training - Job Connect Minnesota
Additional Resources
More information on unemployment benfits, mortgage foreclosure, job search, etc.
