Does Workforce1 work? And, if so, how do I use Workforce1?
Angie Kamath, who overseesWorkforce1 as the Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Development at the NYC Department of Small Business Services, will share her perspective on Workforce1 every Wednesday in her weekly Jobs in New York City column. Have a response to Angie’s column? Drop her a note in the comment section below!
Angie Kamath
Thank you for visiting our blog. I am proud of the resources – both online and offline – that we offer to New Yorkers. Our goal is to connect each candidate to the job that is right for him or her.
We have put a great deal of effort into making Workforce1 more user friendly and we want to hear from you about how it is working. If you have suggestions to make it even better, please tell us by using the comments section below.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to answer 2 questions that I frequently hear about Workforce1:
Question #1: Does Workforce1 work?
Answer: YES. Our track record speaks for itself. Last year, we helped people find over 30,000 jobs. This year, we hope to increase the number to 35,000. We help qualified candidates find jobs in occupations as diverse as Registered Nurses, Bookkeepers, Office Managers, Customer Service Representatives, Retail Supervisors, and Ramp Agents at airports. You can search some of our jobs now.
Question #2: How can I get started with Workforce1?
Answer: Here are 3 ways to easily start using Workforce1:
1. Subscribe to the weekly Workforce1 Career Bulletin to get fresh advice from hiring managers, a listing of citywide professional development events, and a sample of open NYC jobs delivered to your email inbox every Thursday.
2. Visit our website where you can apply directly to jobs, find out about recruitment events, and learn about skill-building workshops.
3. Visit a Workforce1 Career Center to become a Workforce1 member, learn more about our services, speak with an Account Manager, or attend a workshop.
Read more of Angie’s Jobs in New York City column or drop her a comment below.
Hi Ms Kamath,
I would like to know, if Workforce 1 in Upper Manhattan can help me be employed. I have an extensive background in Design and Construction with a Diploma in Project Management. I frequented a zillion times since May 2011 and to no avail, I have not been helped. So to believe wheather Workforce 1 works, is still a mystery.
Thank you
Richard
Dear Richard,
Thanks for your comment and question. I value your feedback and I am sorry you have not been able to find the right position yet.
Our Workforce1 Industrial & Transportation Career Center (with locations in Jamaica, Queens and a smaller satellite office in midtown Manhattan) is probably more appropriate to work with your background and hopefully match your qualifications to our employer needs. I do encourage you to contact this Center to connect with relevant opportunities directly. People normally will be referred to the appropriate job — or the appropriate industry-focused Workforce1 Career Center, like the Workforce1 Industrial & Transportation Career Center — when they go to any Workforce1 Career Center. I’m sorry this was not your experience. We are constantly working to improve.
Thank you,
Angie
I am also one of those that have given a serious run around by Workforce One. Also that Bronx Location is full of crap..EVERYONE THERE needs to be re-trained if they were ever trained in the first place, they are rude as heck. I was told at a recruiting event that the job pays 10 dollars and hour then when I get there its 7.25, Or I even had an interviewer speculate on whether or not I was a man or woman. I have NEVER found a job from here and more than half my friends and family have had NO LUCK with workforce one from the ones with GEDs to the ones with degrees, NO LUCK! This is a waste of time and money. I feel that workforce one should at least provide metrocards for all the crap we are put through
While it is always more pleasant to hear positive feedback, I do appreciate you taking the time to tell me about your experience with Workforce1. I take your feedback seriously. At Workforce1, our #1 priority is to help you succeed in your job search and all staff are trained to adhere to a set of customer service principles so that you should always expect: to be treated with professionalism and respect; to work with staff that is knowledgeable, friendly, and approachable; to be valued for your input; to receive timely service; and, to get clear next steps at the end of every staff interaction. I am extremely sorry that your experience does not reflect these principles. We are working hard to make sure that all staff at all times provides the best service possible. And as we make improvements, we have also made a few technological improvements to make it easier and faster to use Workforce1 including: we send job listings directly to your email inbox every week, you can now apply for jobs directly online, and starting in late November people will be able to register for services online to save 1 to 2 hours of time filling out paperwork on the initial visit. Again, thank you for your feedback. As I said, I do take it seriously and we are working hard to make sure that every interaction with our staff reflects the principles above.
Workforce 1 – Um-mm !!! where do I begin. This is the biggest waste of Government funds I’ve have ever seen. The only thing I see with this program is the rich getting richer. Rich individuals invest money into staffing and building programs like workforce 1. then they bill the Government for each person who pass through their doors. They disguise there thievery by giving people the basic education / Job skills necessary to go out into the workforce and find that minimum wage job. Three things need happen … (1) Your Educated (2) Your trained (3) Your set up with a job opportunity… Not needing to guarantee that you get the job. And thats all is needed to justify their bill to the Government. which could be 10x the cost they spent on you. So to all my people out there who want to get paid … open a school. I don’t care if it’s a school to teach people how to fold sheets – just justify those three things I mentioned and you too can get paid!
I have been unemployed since June of 2010, and have been with Workforce1 since then. I took several classes, had my resume redone, added my resume to the Smart2010 system, and I STILL have not gotten any interviews. I send out quite a few resume’s within any given week, and fill out online applications. Once they get wind of my age bracket, it’s all over. I want nothing more than to be able to sustain myself with gainful employment, but that seems a complete impossibility at this point in time. I have lost my apartment, and am now staying with a friend, sleeping on their couch (no, it’s not a sofa bed, it’s just a sofa). I’m angry, frustrated and I strongly believe that the only jobs Workforce1 have placed people in are labor positions. I’m an administrative assistant/office support clerical worker. Why can’t Workforce help me find a job in my field????
Hi Scharon, I’m very sorry to hear that you’re angry and frustrated. If you do feel that your age is keeping you from finding employment, check out the blog post on age discrimination. You also mention sending your resume out to a lot of jobs in any given week and you might be interested in these blog posts with advice on applying online and on getting your resume noticed. Without knowing more about your particular skill set and the types of jobs you are interested in, it is hard to give you more specific advice or connect you to more relevant resources. Please make an appointment with a Career Advisor who can advise you in your particular job search. (As a clarification: Smart2010 is a program of the NYS DOL, not Workforce1.)