INTERNATIONAL CAREERS : A World of Opportunity : Resource Guide : Where to Find Tips, Testing and Training at Little or No Cost
Aware Advisory
Services: vocational and educational counseling; not a placement service
Cost: $5 donation per visit (may be waived for the unemployed); $15 fee for Strong Interest Inventory testing (includes counseling)
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon. and Wed.
Address: Santa Monica YWCA, 2019 14th St., Santa Monica
Telephone: (310) 452-3833
Brady JobNet
Serves primarily lower-income individuals and families in East Los Angeles and surrounding areas, but all are welcome.
Services:
* Three-day employment readiness seminar in English and Spanish
* Job-search mentoring
* Help with resumes
* Interview practice
* Placement and follow-ups
* Referrals to employers
Cost: free to participants and employers, except $3 charge for seminar materials
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon., Tue. and Thur.; 8 a.m.-noon., Wed.
Address: 717 S. Brady Ave., Los Angeles
Telephone: (213) 722-4495
Business Ownership
Service System
An entrepreneurial training program offered by Rancho Santiago College to laid-off or soon-to-be laid-off workers, particularly focused on military, defense and aerospace personnel. The 10-week program provides technical assistance, business ownership skill training, marketing guidance and business plan creation.
Qualifications:
* Candidates must be laid-off workers
* High school graduates with a minimum of eighth-grade reading level
* Idea or concept for a small business * Complete assessment testing
Cost: free
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Telephone: Call Sandy Dessero at (714) 564-5208 for appointment and reservation
California Business
Incubation Network
A nonprofit, statewide association of business incubator advocates fostering the development of new business in California. A small-business incubator is a facility-based business assistance program that includes entrepreneurship training and technical assistance.
Services offered by CBIN:
* Information clearinghouse
* Technical assistance with development and operations
* Seminars, conferences and workshops
* Speakers bureau
Cost: free information packet; variable fees for other services
Address: 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
Telephone: (800) 427-4710 (California only)
Facility-based incubators in Southern California:
* Business Innovation Center, 3350 Market St., San Diego, (619) 685-2949
* Lynwood Entrepreneur Development Academy 2555 Industry Way, Suite C and D, Lynwood (incubator location), (213) 249-4990; 2645 Industry Way (main office), (213) 249-4980
* Lancaster Economic Business Center, 104 E. Avenue K-4, Suite A, Lancaster, (805) 945-2741 * Pasadena Enterprise Center, 1015 N. Lake Ave., Suite 100, Pasadena, (818) 398-9974
* Santa Ana Business Enterprise Center, 901 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 647-1134
* Vermont Slauson Business Center, 5918 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 753-2335
California Registry of Professional Counselors
Services: referrals to career counselors
Cost: referrals are free; variable fees for counseling
Address: 2555 E. Chapman Ave., Suite 201, Fullerton
Telephone: (714) 871-6460
California Small Business Development Center
Counseling and training of small-business owners and prospective entrepreneurs. Hosted by Rancho Santiago College.
Services:
* In-depth, one-on-one consulting
* Business planning and management assistance
* Marketing and technical assistance * Business education and training
* Assistance with expansion into the international marketplace
* Technology transfer assistance
* Economic and business data
* Access to federal, state and local programs
* Permit and licensing assistance
Cost: Consultations are free and confidential; appointment required
Locations in Southern California:
* Eastern Los Angeles County SBDC, Pomona, (909) 629-2247
* Export SBDC of Southern California, Los Angeles, (213) 892-1111
* Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce SBDC, La Jolla, (619) 453-9388
* Inland Empire SBDC, Riverside, (909) 781-2345
* Northern Los Angeles SBDC, Van Nuys, (818) 373-7092
* Orange County SBDC, Santa Ana, (714) 647-1172
* Southwestern College Small Business Development and International Trade Center, Chula Vista, (619) 482-6391
* Southwest Los Angeles County SBDC, Torrance, (310) 787-6466
* Accelerate Technology SBDC, Irvine, (714) 509-2990
Career Encores
Referral service for people 50 and older. Serves only Los Angeles County, networking with 50 other agencies countywide.
Services:
* Information on job training
* Job listings for employers and job-seekers
* Job search assistance
Job clubs:
* Burbank: 2100 Magnolia Blvd.
* Culver City: 3710 S. Robertson Blvd.
* Harbor City: 24404 S. Vermont.
Orientation at 10 a.m. Fridays. Call before visit.
Information: Outside L.A. County, employment information for older people is listed under Area Agency on Aging in county government sections of local telephone directories.
Cost: free to job-seekers and employers Hot line hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Telephone hot line for all sites: (213) 939-0391
Career Planning Center
Private, nonprofit, community-based organization.
Services:
* Job resource center featuring reference library and job listings
* Skills assessment, counseling, resume critiquing and job-search skills workshop by appointment
* Psychotherapy related to job loss
* Outplacement services to employers, including on-sight workshops
* On-the-job training for eligible applicants, funded by the federal Job Training Partnership Act
Costs: free job resource center, library and job listings; fees vary for skills assessment, career counseling, resume critiquing and psychotherapy
Hours: 1-4 p.m., Mon. and Wed.; 9 a.m.-noon, Tue.
Address: 1623 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles
Telephone: (310) 273-6633
Coalition for Women’s
Economic Development
Nonprofit organization helping low-income people achieve self-sufficiency through self-employment.
Services:
* Entrepreneurial training
* Technical assistance
* Loans to low-income men and women to start or expand microbusinesses
* All services are offered in English and Spanish at three locations in Los Angeles County
* Workshops: “Getting Ready for Business” and “The Business Plan Workshop”
Cost: free monthly orientations; workshops $25 and $45
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Telephone (213) 489-1202 for time and location of orientation information (24 hours)
Comprehensive Jobs
Assistance Center
A one-stop career center sponsored by the city of Los Angeles.
Services:
* Counseling and assessment
* Classroom and on-the-job training
* Basic skills assistance
* Workshops on various subjects, including job transition, economic survival and interview skills
* Resume writing
Cost: free
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment, 2525 W. 8th St., Room 209, Los Angeles. Telephone: (213) 389-8389
Employment Development
Department
State agency offering a variety of services to job-seekers and employers.
Services:
* Job Match, a statewide computer network matching applicants and openings
* Job-search training workshops
* Experience Unlimited job clubs geared to professional, managerial and technical workers seeking jobs
* Referrals to training or educational facilities and social service agencies
* Unemployment and disability insurance
Cost: free
Telephone: Look for nearest EDD Job Service office, listed under “California, State of” in the government listings section at the beginning of the telephone directory white pages.
Forty Plus
A nonprofit, self-help employment service for people over 40 with professional, technical or executive experience.
Services:
* Instruction in computer skills, resume preparation, interview and networking techniques
* Job listings
* Research library
* Free seminars
* Biweekly meetings
Cost: entrance fee, monthly dues and charges for computer time and telephone service
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: 3450 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 510, Los Angeles
Telephone: (213) 388-2301
Other locations:
* 23172 Plaza Pointe Drive, Suite 285, Laguna Hills, (714) 581-7990
* 8845 University Center Lane, Suite 101, San Diego, (619) 450-4440
Jewish Vocational Service
Nonprofit, non-sectarian service organization.
Services:
* Motivational, job search, interview and resume workshops
* Job club support group geared to professionals
* Job listings
* Research library
* One-on-one career counseling
* Job placement services for the disabled
* Immigrant employment program (for residents of West Hollywood who have been in the United States for less than 10 years)
* Career Focus, a five-session workshop for people interested in exploring a career change Wednesdays, 6-8:30 p.m.
* Second Wind, workshop and support group for people 55 years and older
* Federal progam offering on-the-job training to qualified applicants
Cost: $30 registration fee; counseling per session, $60 or less; Career Focus workshop, $150 Hours: For more information, call between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Mon.-Thur. and 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Fri.
Locations:
* 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 303, Los Angeles, (213) 655-8910
* 6429 Independence Ave., Woodland Hills, (818) 587-3222 (closed Fridays)
* University Synagogue, 11960 Sunset Blvd., Room 115, Los Angeles, (Fri. only)
* 22410 Palos Verdes Blvd., Torrance (Fri. only)
Job Starts
Nonprofit, privately funded organization assisting individuals and families in South-Central Los Angeles to achieve economic stability through work.
Services:
* Employment readiness workshops
* Job placements, including 90-day follow-ups
Cost: free
Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: 3010 W. 48th St., Los Angeles
Telephone: Call (213) 291-2812 for appointment
Korean Youth &
Community Center
Nonprofit, community-based organization providing a wide variety of programs for recently immigrated, economically disadvantaged youth and their families.
Employment services:
* Pre-employment classes
* Employment referrals and placement
* On-the-job training
* Computer training
Cost: free
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: 3470 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1110, Los Angeles
Telephone: (213) 365-7405
Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian
Community Services Center
Endeavors to support the well-being of lesbians and gay men by providing essential services and sponsoring community activities.
Services:
* Employment and training services for job-seekers and employers, including job postings. Call Raul Parral at (213) 993-7480
* Speakers bureau serving businesses, schools and public libraries. Call Francesca Miller at (213) 993-7438
* Free legal advice to those in need. Call Roger Coggan at (213) 993-7670
Address: 1625 N. Schrader Blvd., Hollywood
Los Angeles Urban League
Seeks to secure social and economic opportunities for African Americans and other minorities through a variety of programs, including counseling, training, placement and community development.
Services:
* Employment Services Department assists job-ready applicants who are professional, skilled or semi-skilled and seeking employment or a career change. Applicants and employers are served through counseling, workshops and a job bank.
* Data Processing Center offers courses in computer programming, computer operations and automated office procedures.
* Pomona Valley T.E.C. conducts specialized vocational training in electronics, machine tool technology, word processing and data entry.
* Milken Family Literacy & Youth Training Center provides instruction in reading, writing, math and problem solving to assist youth and their families in developing skills to compete for employment.
* Pasadena-Foothill Branch offers career counseling and job placement.
* Automotive Training Center
* Entrepreneurial Training and Business Development Center
* Financial Training Center
Cost: free
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: 3450 Mt. Vernon Drive, Los Angeles (call for addresses of other locations)
Telephone: (213) 299-9660
Mexican American
Opportunity Foundation
Services:
* Job listings
* Computer training in WordPerfect, dBase IV, Lotus 123 and DOS
* On-the-job training, with partial reimbursement to employers
* Work experience for preschool teacher’s aides
* Basic skills training in reading comprehension and math
* Limited internships for youths 18 to 21 years old in the private sector, with paid wages during training
* Child care
Cost: free
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: 6252 Telegraph Road, Commerce
Telephone: (213) 722-7807
National Board for
Certified Counselors
National certification organization making consumer referrals to nationally certified career counselors.
Service: Provides a list of certified counselors by state
Cost: referrals are free
Address: 3-D Terrace Way, Greensboro, NC, 27403
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (EDT), Mon.-Fri.
Telephone: (910) 547-0607; fax (910) 547-0017 (to request a list of nationally certified career counselors in your area)
Application for certification: (800) 398-5389
Oakwood United
Jobs Task Force
Programs:
* The Job Bank, a Santa Monica/Venice-based employment service offering workshops on resume writing and job-search techniques, skills training opportunities, monthly bulletin for employers listing available local workers. (310) 822-8687
* St. Joseph Center Restaurant Training Program. Regular classes in food service, with certification and jobs placement assistance. (310) 450-9095
* Venice Community Housing Corp. coordinates mentored skills training with local housing construction; emphasis on local employment for local construction work. (310) 399-4100
* Venice Skill Center. Contact Michael Hill at (310) 392-4153
Cost: free
SCORE
The Service Corps of Retired Executives is a nonprofit organization sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Volunteers share their business experience with people who plan to go into business and those already in business who need advice.
Services:
* Counseling in areas such as business planning, advertising, accounting, market and customer analysis, inventory control, cash and credit management, marketing, financial and licensing requirements
* Next monthly seminar on a wide variety of business subjects is Sept. 24. Call for more information.
* Monthly calendar of seminars mailed on request
Cost: one-on-one counseling is free; seminars and workshops at nominal fees
Call for locations of counseling centers in Southern California:
* Los Angeles County: (818) 552-3206
* Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties: (714) 836-2709
* San Diego and Imperial counties: (619) 557-7272
* Ventura County: (805) 642-1866
Second Careers
A nonprofit project of the Volunteer Center of Los Angeles serving mostly people 50 and older.
Services:
* Job placement (primarily office-related opportunities, including clerical, managerial, professional and technical)
* Computer instruction and lab
* Resource library
* Retirement planning
Cost: free to job-seekers; modest fees for employers; variable fees for computer lab
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. (office); day and evening hours for computer lab
Address: 3530 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1220, Los Angeles
Telephone: (213) 380-3166
Southern California
Indian Center
Nonprofit organization serving the American Indian community of Los Angeles and Orange counties. As a Job Training Partnership Act agency, provides employment assistance and vocational training to American Indians, native Alaskans and native Hawaiians who are unemployed, underemployed or economically disadvantaged.
Services:
* Yearly job fairs
* Resume and job application preparation
* Job-search techniques
* Job listings and referrals
* Classroom vocational training
* On-the-job training
* Educational workshops for parents
Locations: Garden Grove, Carson, Commerce, Los Angeles and Van Nuys; satellite locations in Lancaster, El Monte and San Juan Capistrano
Telephone:
* Los Angeles County: (213) 387-5772
* Orange County: (714) 530-0221
Step-Up
Education and apprenticeship preparation for women interested in pursuing a career as an apprencticed tradeswoman working in a nontraditional field. Program offers a stipend upon successful apprenticeship placement.
Requirements:
* 18 or older
* High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.)
Cost: free
Address: Career Counseling Center, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, 400 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles
Telephone: Tricia Johnson at (213) 744-9492
TTI Career Training Center
National organization dedicated to meeting the needs of the economically disadvantaged with funding from the federal Job Training Partnership Act.
Services: Training and placement for work as automated office technician, computerized financial specialist, medical billing specialist and public safety officer
Cost: free to eligible applicants
Locations:
* 6th Street Campus, 3550 W. 6th St., Suite 200, Los Angeles, (213) 368-7303
* Olympic Campus, 714 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 201, Los Angeles, (213) 747-6888
* Century Campus, 4611-4615 W. Century Blvd., Inglewood, (310) 674-9400
* Rancho Dominguez Campus, 2959 Pacific Commerce Drive, Rancho Dominguez, (310) 537-0141
* JTPA Center, 7655 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 277-8215
UAW-Labor Employment
Training Corp.
A private, nonprofit corporation that provides job development, training and retraining and placement services to the unemployed and economically disadvantaged. The UAW-LETC serves as a training liaison to business and industry and as a provider of training services to the federal Job Training Partnership Act community and the State of California Employment Training Panel.
Services:
* Placement services for entry-level and professional positions
* Training services designed to meet entry-level needs as well as customized training and skills upgrades
* Human resources management, development and support
* Special grant-funded programs, including on-the-job training, classroom instruction, programs for dislocated workers and tax credits provided for targeted jobs
Cost: free to employers and eligible applicants
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: 5150 E. Gage Ave., Bell (corporate office); 12 field offices in Southern California Telephone: (213) 562-6100
UCI Extension Women’s
Opportunities Center
Career development center. Open to men and women in the community.
Services:
* One-on-one career counseling
* Workshops
* Resume counseling
* Weekly job-search support groups run by Orange County executives
* Career-education resource library
* Job listings
* Discounts to specified UCI Extension courses
* Career-vocational aptitude testing
Cost: $45 annual membership fee; additional fees for workshops and career-vocational aptitude testing. Membership fee waivers and scholarships for career-related workshops are available.
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Mon.-Thur.; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Fri.; 9 a.m.-noon, Sat.
Address: The center is located at the UCI Extension complex on the UC Irvine campus.
Telephone: (714) 856-7128
UCLA Extension
UCLA Extension offers more than 80 certificate programs that may lead to employment opportunities.
Topics include:
* Business and management
* Computers and information systems
* Film and television
* Computer graphics
* Journalism
* Landscape architecture
* Public relations
Free open houses include:
* Fitness Instruction, Wednesday, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
* Entrepreneurship, Sept. 22, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Special career program: “Energizing Your Career Search and Managing Your Economic Survival: 1994,” featuring 14 career workshops, Sept. 24, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m, $45 for pre-enrollees, $70 at door
Cost: varies
Address: UCLA Extension, 10995 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles
Telephone: (800) 554-UCLA (catalog requests); (310) 825-9971 or (818) 784-7006 (general information)
Verdugo Center for
Jobs and Retraining
Federally funded organization serving primarily workers laid off by aerospace and defense contractors or subcontractors (regardless of residence). Also serves people in other industries who live in Glendale, Burbank, La Canada-Flintridge or Los Angeles.
Services:
* Job postings
* Vocational assessment
* Retraining assistance
* Job-search counseling
* Professionally prepared resumes and correspondence
* Client availability advertising
* Stress-management and counseling for anxiety, anger, discouragement and other emotional issues of unemployment for clients and their families
* General job-search assistance, including word processing, telephone service, faxes and mail
Cost: free to qualified clients
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Thur.
Address: 2600 W. Victory Blvd., second floor, Burbank
Telephone: (818) 972-2695
Women at Work
Nonprofit organization focusing on career concerns of women, but men are welcome.
Services:
* Drop-in resource room featuring a library and job listings
* Counseling, testing and resume writing
* Specially funded programs for single parents, displaced homemakers and Latina professional women with limited English
* Evening workshops on career planning, resume writing, interview techniques, networking and job hunting after 50
* Information dissemination and counseling on nontraditional job opportunities for women (trade and tech)
Costs: drop-in resource room, suggested donation $2; counseling and resume writing, $50; occupational testing, including counseling, $90; evening workshops, free-$20
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon., Tue. and Thurs.; 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Wed.
Address: 50 N. Hill, Suite 300, Pasadena
Telephone: (818) 796-6870
Women Helping
Women Services
A non-sectarian community service agency sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles.
Services:
* Individual career counseling by appointment
* Career workshops and seminars
* Job club (networking and emotional support groups)
* Talkline (telephone counseling service and training to become a volunteer counselor)
* Job hot lines directory (telephone numbers listing job opportunities in various industries available upon request)
* Job postings
Workshops: vocational self-asessment, job-search strategies, resume writing and interviewing Cost: $5 donation requested for job club and workshops
Hours: Career workshops and job club meet 6:30-8 p.m. on alternate Wednesdays; Talkline 10 a.m.- 1 p.m., Mon.-Thurs. and 6-8 p.m., Tues. and Wed.
Address: NCJW/LA Counsel House, 543 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles
Telephone: (213) 655-3807