BURBANK TO OPEN HAVEN IN JOB HUNT.Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writer BURBANK - When Susan Evans, Burbank's assistant community development director, heard about the long lines In communications, circuits that are capable of handling transmissions over long distances. of job seekers job seeker also job·seek·er n. One who seeks employment. waiting to use computers at the city's public libraries, she knew she had to do something. Over the last six months, Evans fast-tracked the plan for WorkForce Connection, a job center located on the second floor of the City Hall Annex an·nex tr.v. an·nexed, an·nex·ing, an·nex·es 1. To append or attach, especially to a larger or more significant thing. 2. that will open to the public today. Evans said the center will provide a much-needed service, especially since so many area workers are involved in the entertainment industry. ``(Entertainment) is an industry where a lot of the labor force moves and is in constant flux, so certainly this sort of service is important in this region,'' she said. Painted a soothing sooth·ing adj. Tending to soothe. sooth  ing·ly adv.sooth soft blue with black-topped furniture and trimmings, the center is equipped with five computers with Internet access See how to access the Internet. , including one that is wheelchair-accessible, for job-seekers to use for free. There also are job-search books, local newspapers, a photocopier photocopier Device for producing copies of text or graphic material by the use of light, heat, chemicals, or electrostatic charge. Most modern copiers use a method called xerography. , a fax machine and phones. Evans expects the center not only to help job-seekers, but also eventually to become a resource for the business community. In preparation for its opening, the three-member staff has scoured scour 1 v. scoured, scour·ing, scours v.tr. 1. a. To clean, polish, or wash by scrubbing vigorously: scour a dirty oven. b. the Internet for the best job-search Web sites and prepared a list of talent agencies and other entertainment-industry resources. ``This is a self-directed center where people come in, do the research and use all the sources to find a job,'' said Yvette Ulloa, the city's economic development manager. Work Training Programs Inc. has an office on the site to provide career counseling Noun 1. career counseling - counseling on career opportunities counseling, counselling, guidance, counsel, direction - something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action and job-placement services for the mentally disabled mentally disabled See Cognitively impaired. in the community. ``Our goal is to help place and support people who have disabilities in the Burbank area,'' said Gail Peters, WTP's director of resource development, who works side by side with job developer Max Andrews. Peters said her staff will assess disabled job seekers' education, work history and interests to help them devise a plan. The Burbank center's staff will not offer those comprehensive services to the general public, but will refer those who need them to the Verdugo Job Center in Glendale and other community resources. In addition to serving job seekers, the center is equipped with a small conference room for use by local employers to conduct workshops, interviews and meetings. Eventually, Ulloa plans to invite the Small Business Administration and other economic-development groups to open shop at WorkForce Connection. Job center staff are also creating a Web site, which will be labeled www.burbankworkforce.org, to enable employers to post job openings online. ``We want to make this a very dynamic center. ... As soon as we find out what the needs are, we are going to grow like crazy,'' Ulloa said. Ulloa said she underwent employment training as a youth under the defunct DEFUNCT. A term used for one that is deceased or dead. In some acts of assembly in Pennsylvania, such deceased person is called a decedent. (q.v.) Job Training Partnership Act in a program run by what is now the Verdugo Job Center, so she views working for the Burbank job center as coming full circle. ``It's now my time to give back and do something positive.'' WorkForce Connection, 301 E. Olive Ave., will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (818) 238-JOBS. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Staff members Yvette Ulloa, left, and Beverly Fromel get out their new coffee mugs to toast the center for job seekers that will open today on the second floor of the Burbank City Hall Annex. John McCoy/Staff Photographer |
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