In some cities, the Employment Development Department, AKA the state unemployment office, is a drab, depressing and frustrating place.
But in Pasadena, our Career Services Division is onsite at the California EDD on Green Street, where we manage the Foothill Employment and Training Connection (FETC) serving residents of Altadena, Arcadia, Duarte, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena.
FETC services include computers connected to the CalJobs matching system; a resource lab equipped with computers, telephones, a printer, a fax machine, a copier, and Internet access; a hands-on lab for basic computer training; multipurpose meeting rooms for training sessions and workshops; electronic kiosks with employment-related information; and much more.
Federal law requires municipalities to offer training to people who have been laid off and are unlikely to return to their previous occupation due to depressed economic conditions in that industry. This can pertain to a person who was laid off from a small business or hundreds of people laid off from a major corporation that shut its doors for good. This was certainly the case six months ago when the IndyMac corporate headquarters in Pasadena closed its doors.
If you don't need help on such a large scale, you're welcome to participate in several free activities for job seekers at La Pintoresca Branch Library:
• "Destination Employment" on Friday, Feb. 20, at 1:30 p.m. will match your interests with the best job for you.• Join the Job Seekers Assistance Group when they meet Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you can meet with a Women at Work career counselor for free advice by appointment (744-7268).
• The new Professional Job Club Network and Support Group gathers Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
La Pintoresca Branch Library is at the northwest corner of Raymond Avenue and Washington Boulevard.
Remember, you're not alone.
