Good news for job seekers ‒ the unemployment rate in Massachusetts has dropped and data indicates that many businesses are starting to hire. Plus, if you are unemployed, just graduated from college, high school or looking to switch your career, there’s plenty of help to guide you. Just go to a Massachusetts One-Stop Career Center.

Since 2007, career centers have provided services to more than 1.4 million job seekers and 81,200 employers, successfully placing approximately 650,000 customers into jobs. Last year, over 100,000 job seekers who received services from a career center successfully found work.

There are 33 One-Stop Career Centers located in communities across the state. All career centers offer core services for job seekers such as job search assistance, access to online job listings and a resource room with computers, phones and specialized software. The centers also promote career counseling, training opportunities, workshops on different job search strategies, networking groups and a veterans’ representative. Disabled workers and job seekers in certain target groups also receive specialized services to help them find a job.

Increasingly, employers are taking advantage of career center services to help them recruit and hire employees. Many of these job openings are posted on JobQuest, including jobs in state government. Each month, Career Centers also host on-site recruitments and job fairs so that job seekers can connect directly with hiring employers. Don’t miss your opportunity to meet with potential employers!

Success Story
Manny Cruz, a former gang member who spent many years in prison is one ex-offender who parlayed the re-entry services into a career in machining. “The people I worked with at the Career Center in Holyoke never gave up on me. They helped me change my life around for the better and succeed in following a career path.” said Cruz.

If you need help to find a job, be sure to make an appointment with your local One-Stop Career Center. To learn more about One-Stop Career Centers and to find one near you, please watch the video below or visit www.mass.gov/connectjobs.

Tags: Career center services