Resource Guide
Apprenticeship
Preparation Classes
Sponsored by the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Services:
* Prepares trainees to meet apprenticeship entry requirements in a variety of trades, including surveying, sheet metal, plumbing/steam fitting, painting/drywall, electrical, sprinkler fitting, carpentry, refrigeration/air conditioning.
* Information on selection processes of various unions
* Instruction and review in math and reading skills
* Focus on minorities and women, but open to all qualified applicants
Eligibility:
* 18 years or older
* High-school graduate/GED certificate
* Valid California driver license
* Must be able to provide own transportation
Enrollment periods:
* Fall: August and September
* Spring: January and February
* Summer: May and June
Cost: $5 registration fee
Hours: Classes offered 8 a.m.-1 p.m. or 1-6 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center, 10925 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles
Telephone: (213) 249-1149
Aware Advisory
Services: Vocational and educational counseling; not a placement service
Cost: $5 donation per visit (may be waived for the unemployed); $20 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
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Brady JobNet
Serves primarily lower-income individuals and families in East Los Angeles and surrounding areas, but all persons 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
* Job club
Cost: Free to participants and employers, except $3 charge for seminar materials
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Thur.
Address: 717 S. Brady Ave., Los Angeles
Telephone: (213) 722-4495
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Braille Institute
A nonprofit organization providing a wide variety of services to people who are legally blind, including over 200 classes in independent living skills.
Career services:
* Learning Center for active job-seekers with classes covering resume writing, interview skills and adaptive equipment
* Career development
* Job search and placement
* On-site job analysis before and after placement
* Subsidy program for adaptive equipment
* Annual employer seminar
Costs: Free to legally blind clients
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: 741 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angles
Telephone: (213) 663-1111
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Business Ownership Service System
An entrepreneurial training program offered by Rancho Santiago College to laid-off or soon-to-be laid-off workers. 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 for qualified applicants
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Telephone: Call (714) 564-5207 for appointment and reservation.
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California Business Incubation Network
Nonprofit, statewide association of business incubator advocates fostering the development of new business in California. Business incubators provide small, entrepreneurial businesses with affordable space, shared support services and business development services, such as financing, marketing and management. Incubators nurture young businesses during the start-up period.
Services offered by CBIN:
* Information clearinghouse
* Technical assistance with development and operations
* Seminars, conferences and workshops
* Speakers bureau
Cost: Complimentary information packet; membership fees: $100 individual, $250 nonprofits and $500 corporate
Address: 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
Telephone: Sheila Washington at (619) 237-0559; (800) 427-4710 (California only)
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Facility-based incubators in Southern California:
* Border Environmental Business Cluster, 477 Marina Parkway, Building 52, Chula Vista, (619) 498-4960
* Business and Industry Services Center, 901 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 564-5202
* CalStart, 3601 Empire Blvd., Burbank, (818) 565-5600
* CHARO Enterprise Innovation Center, 3951 E. Medford St., Los Angeles, (213) 269-0751
* EC2 Square Annenberg Incubator Project, 746 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 743-2344.
* Inland Empire Business Incubator, 155 S. Memorial Drive, Suite B, San Bernardino, (909) 382-0065
* Lancaster Economic Development Corp., 104 E. Avenue K-4, Suite A, Lancaster, (805) 945-2741
* Pasadena Enterprise Center, 1015 N. Lake Ave., Suite 100, Pasadena, (818) 398-9974
* RBTIC (Ridgecrest Business Technology Incubator Center), 139 N. Balsam St., Ridgecrest, (619) 384-1118
* San Diego Technology Incubator, San Diego City College, 1313 Twelfth Ave., San Diego, (619) 230-2081
* Thousand Oaks Environmental Business Cluster, 241 Lombard St., Suite 1, Thousand Oaks, (805) 446-6410
* Vermont Slauson Business Enterprise Center, 6109 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 694-0026
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California Conservation Corps
Hires young men and women to work for one year on a variety of environmental and community projects and to respond to emergencies such as forest fires, floods and earthquakes. Corps members learn job skills and gain work experience. Both residential and nonresidential positions are available.
Qualifications: Women and men between the ages of 18 and 23 who are California residents and not on probation or parole
Telephone: (800) 952-5627
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California Council for Veterans Affairs
Services:
* Employment assistance
* Job listings
* Computer matching of applicant qualifications to employer needs
* Educational resource library
* Women’s shelter (veterans and nonveterans eligible)
Eligibility: must be a veteran
Cost: Free
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; counseling by appointment only, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Address: 8652 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles
Telephone: (213) 750-9967
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California Registry of Professional Counselors
Service: Referrals to career counselors
Cost: Referrals are free; variable fees for counseling
Address: 2555 E. Chapman Ave., Suite 201, Fullerton
Telephone: (714) 284-8857
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
* Economic and business data
* Access to federal, state and local programs
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
* El Monte/South El Monte Outreach Center, El Monte, (818) 459-4111
* 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
* Westside SBDC, Santa Monica, (310) 398-8883
* Accelerate Technology SBDC, Irvine, (714) 509-2990
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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.
* Los Angeles: 3700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200
Orientation at 10 a.m. Fridays. Call before visit.
Cost: Free to eligible applicants and employers
Hot line hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Telephone hot line for all sites:
* Los Angeles county only: 1 (800) 833-6267
* Outside of Los Angeles county: 213-427-6600
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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 by appointment
* Outplacement services to employers, including on-site 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 and resume critiquing
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Thur.; 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Fri.
Address: 1623 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles
Telephone: Call (310) 273-6633 for appointment.
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Chicana Service Action Center
JTPA-funded job training and placement services for low-income persons. All nationalities--male or female--may apply.
Services:
* Job training and placement
* Job-Links program offering training to become electrician, plumber, steam fitter, sheet metal or carpet worker. The 10-week program offers on-the-job training paying $4.25 per hour beginning with the third week of the program.
* GED classes
* Transportation
Requirements:
* The following documents are required of applicants: I.D. or driver’s license; social security, birth certificate, proof of residency or work permit; proof of income (from public assistance or employer); address verification; selective service registration (required of males only between 18 and 28 years of age)
* Job Links program requires high-school diploma or GED.
* Must meet low-income requirements based on family size
Cost: Free to qualified applicants
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m, Mon.-Fri.
Address: 134 E. First St., Los Angles
Telephone: (213) 253-5959
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City of Los Angeles Employment Opportunities
Listing of current job openings with the city (not including police officers and firefighters), updated weekly. “Challenging Careers” brochure available upon request.
Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: 700 E. Temple St., Room 100, Los Angeles
Telephone: (213) 847-9240
Jobs hot line: (213) 847-9424. Call for recorded message listing current openings (24 hours).
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City of Los Angeles Personnel Department, Police & Fire Selection Division
Division of the city’s personnel department responsible for the hiring of police officers and firefighters.
Weekly testing for police officer positions:
* Wilshire Police Station, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.
* North Hollywood Police Station, Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
* Personnel Building, Thursdays, 7 p.m.
* Recruit Training Center, Saturdays, 8 a.m.
People interested in becoming a firefighter should call (213) 847-LAFD to put in a firefighter notification card.
Cost: Free
Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. (telephone and walk-in)
Address: 700 E. Temple St., Room 150, Los Angeles
Telephone: Police: (213) 847-LAPD; Fire: (213) 847-LAFD
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Comprehensive Jobs Assistance Centers (CJACs)
A one-stop career center sponsored by the city of Los Angeles Private Industry Council (PIC). CJACs assist dislocated workers (plant closures, layoffs and long-term unemployed) with job search, training and placement.
Services:
* Counseling and assessment
* Workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, networking and economic survival
* Supportive services such as stress and financial management, and if qualified, transportation and child-care assistance
* Remedial skills training
* Retraining opportunities, such as classroom, on-the-job and customized training
* Job resource centers including job listings, telephones, faxes, copiers, computers and laser printers
* WorkLink computer network matching employers/job opportunities to job seekers
Locations:
* Crenshaw/South-Central, 3500 S. Figueroa St., Suite 201, Los Angeles, (213) 743-3950
* East Los Angeles/Central City, 3951 E. Medford St., Los Angeles, (213) 268-1100.
* Mid-Wilshire/West Los Angeles, 1541 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 407, Los Angeles, (213) 353-1677
* Northwest San Fernando Valley, 14515 Hamlin St., Van Nuys, (818) 781-2522
* Northeast San Fernando Valley, 2600 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank, (818) 972-2695.
* Harbor Gateway/Wilmington/San Pedro, 1 Civic Plaza, Suite 500, Carson, (310) 518-8100
Cost: Free to people who qualify
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
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East Los Angeles Skills Center
Offers academic, vocational, business and industrial classes, and GED program. Classes are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Services:
* A wide range of classes are offered including, but not limited to, computer software applications, medical secretary, electronics testing, cable television installation, construction inspection, bookkeeping, telephone maintenance and banking careers.
* Aptitude assessment tests
* Job postings
* Classes in resume writing and interview techniques
* ESL classes
* Job development counseling matching skills and job openings
* Employers may test and interview prospective job applicants on on-site
Cost: $10-$55 depending on program or service
Hours: Class and office hours, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Address: 3921 Selig Place, East Los Angeles
Telephone: (213) 227-0018
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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.
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Employment Service Centers
Assists adults who are long-term unemployed (14 weeks or more), laid-off, economically disadvantaged or receiving public assistance to find employment.
Services:
* Aptitude, basic skills and interest inventory testing
* Referrals to vocational classroom training
* Job development
* Job readiness workshops
Costs: Free to qualified applicants
Locations:
* East Los Angeles Client Service Center, 215 W. Pomona Blvd., Suite 300, Monterey Park, (213) 887-7122
* South Central Client Service Center, 2930 W. Imperial Highway, Suite 515, Inglewood, (213) 779-2199
Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
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Employment Training Panel
A state agency assisting California businesses in obtaining skilled workers needed to stay competitive, productive and profitable. ETP contracts with employers, training agencies and private industry councils only. ETP does not provide training, but provides funding for programs in areas such as:
* Total quality management
* Statistical process control
* Office automation
* Production techniques
* Computer-assisted design
* Computer-assisted manufacturing
* Entrepreneurial training
Reimbursement of training costs to employers are negotiated prior to training.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: Charles Lundberg, Employment Training Panel, 1100 J St., 4th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone: (916) 327-5261
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EMPLOY Network
A coalition of agencies that assists job applicants with a variety of disabilities and special needs. The network maintains a computerized bulletin board of job listings for qualified applicants; employers are invited to use the bulletin board to fill job openings.
Services to employers:
* Matching prescreened applicants with job openings
* Information on tax credits available to employers hiring people with special needs
* Assistance on meeting affirmative action goals
Cost: Free
Telephone: (310) 258-4025; (800) 244-1JOB
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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
* 3760, Convoy St., #219, San Diego, (619) 514-0377
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Goodwill Industries of Southern California
Not-for-profit organization helps people with barriers to employment (disabilities, social disadvantages) to reach vocational potentials. Clients may also include those with limited work skills, little or no work history, no permanent shelter, poor self-esteem and self-confidence, a history of substance abuse or incarceration.
Services:
* Work evaluation and work adjustment training
* Occupational skill training and placement, including on-the-job training. Skills training includes computer/clerical, truck and forklift, janitorial and food service.
* Job coaches
* Job club
* Career Evaluation Center offering specialized testing and vocational counseling for disabled and at-risk youth.
Eligibility: Applicants must meet certain requirements for some programs.
Costs: Free
Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: 342 San Fernando Road, Los Angeles
Telephone: (213) 223-1211
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Jewish Vocational Service
Nonprofit, nonsectarian service organization.
Services:
* Motivational, job search, interview and resume workshops
* Job club support group geared to professionals
* Job listings
* Research library
* Career testing and counseling
* Job placement services for the disabled
* Career Transitions, career management services to corporations and employees
* Career Focus, a five-session workshop for people interested in exploring a career change Mondays, 6-8 p.m.
* Second Wind, workshop and support group for people 55 years and older
* Free employment service for the city of West Hollywood.
* Entertainment Networking Group, geared to persons either in or seeking to enter the entertainment industry
Cost: $35 registration fee; counseling per session, $35-$65 sliding scale; Career Focus workshop, $150
Hours: For more information, call 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Thur.; 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Fri.
Locations:
* 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 303, Los Angeles, (213) 655-8910
* 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills, (818) 587-3222 (closed Fridays)
* University Synagogue, 11960 Sunset Blvd., Room 115, Los Angeles, (213) 655-8910 (Thursdays only 9-11 a.m.)
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Jobs for Progress
A JTPA-funded employment and training agency.
Services:
* Job training in clerical and general office occupations
* Job preparation, placement and counseling
* Aptitude and interest assessment
* WordPerfect 6.0 training
* Computer-assisted instruction in basic English and math
* Support services including transportation and child-care allowances
* Dislocated worker program for laid-off workers
* On-the-job training (West Covina location only)
Cost: Free
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Fri. (training hours); 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon- Fri. (office hours)
Locations:
* 5161 E. Pomona Blvd., Suite 105, Los Angeles, (213) 881-0588
* 1323 West Covina Parkway, Suite E, West Covina, (818) 960-0806
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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.
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JTPA Service Delivery Areas
Job Training Partnership Act service delivery areas provide a variety of employment and training programs and services designed for the economically disadvantaged, including programs for adults, youths, older workers (55 or older) and dislocated workers (those who have been laid off or are scheduled to be laid off). SDAs direct eligible applicants to service providers within their areas.
Types of Training:
* Classroom training designed to provide job-related and technical skills for specific jobs such as bank teller, accounting, clerical and health care occupations
* On-the-job training with employers
* Work experience paying minimum wage for adults and youths at governmental or nonprofit work sites
Locations:
* Carson-Lomita-Torrance SDA, 1 Civic Plaza, Suite 500, Carson, (310) 781-7100
* City of Long Beach SDA, 200 Pine Ave., 4th Floor, Long Beach, (310) 570-3865
* City of Los Angeles SDA, Community Development Dept., 215 W. Sixth St., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, (213) 485-6520
* County of Los Angeles, Dept. of Community and Senior Services, 3175 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, (213) 738-2598
* Foothill Consortium, 234 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 205, Pasadena, (818) 405-4219
* South Bay Consortium, One Manchester Blvd., 4th Floor, Inglewood, (310) 412-5558
* Southeast Los Angeles County Private Industry Council, 10900 E. 183rd St., Suite 350, Cerritos, (310) 402-9336
* Verdugo Private Industry Council, 141 N. Glendale Ave., Suite 202, Glendale, (818) 548-2053
Costs: Free to eligible applicants
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L.A. County Regional Occupational Program
Students learn entry-level skills in a wide variety of occupational fields including animal care, banking, nursing, food service, retail sales and electronics. Programs are offered at high schools, adult schools, community colleges, private postsecondary schools, and community or business facilities.
Services:
* classroom instruction
* paid and unpaid on-the-job training
* resume writing
* job networking techniques
* career counseling
Locations:
* Antelope Valley ROP, 44811 Sierra Hwy., Lancaster, (805) 948-7655
* Baldy View ROP, 135 Spring St., Claremont, (909) 624-0063
* Compton Unified School District ROP, 2505 W. 156th St., Compton, (310) 639-4321
* East San Gabriel Valley ROP, 1501 W. Del Norte Ave., West Covina, (818) 960-3625
* Hart District ROP, 21515 Redview Dr., Santa Clarita, (805) 259-0033
* La Puente Valley ROP, 455 N. Glendora Ave., La Puente, (818) 333-3773
* Long Beach Unified School District ROP, 3701 E. Willow St., Long Beach, (310) 426-6846
* Los Angeles County ROP, 8435 Eastern Ave., Bell Gardens, (310) 922-6850
* Los Angeles Unified School District ROP, 13151 Appleton Way, Los Angeles, (213) 625-3276
* San Antonio ROP, 740 N. Garey Ave., Pomona, (909) 469-2304
* Southeast ROP, 20122 Cabrillo Lane, Cerritos, (310) 403-7382
* Tri-Cities ROP, 9401 S. Painter Ave., Whittier, (310) 698-9571
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.
Cost: Free to high school students; adults are asked to pay $20 registration fee and a $20 materials fee (minimum)
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
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Mexican American Opportunity Foundation
Services:
* Job listings
* Computer training in WordPerfect, dBase IV, Lotus 123, DOS and Excel
* 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
* ESL citizenship classes
Cost: Free
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Address: 401 N. Garfield Ave., Montebello
Telephone: (213) 890-9600
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 Terrace Way, Suite D, Greensboro, NC, 27403
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (EST), 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
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Private Industry Councils Job Training Programs
The Job Training Partnership Act of 1982 provides federal funding for locally managed employment and training programs. Private Industry Councils within 52 service areas in California plan job-training and employment programs to meet the needs of their local labor markets.
Services:
* Educational, vocational and on-the-job training
* Job-search skills and placement
* Dislocated-workers program
* Older-workers program (55 and older)
* Youth training programs
Eligibility: Applicants may qualify for one or more reasons, including layoff, long-term unemployment or income below poverty levels.
Benefits to employers: prescreened and trained applicants, initial wage reimbursement (for on-the-job training), tax credits
Cost: For qualified applicants, training and placement services are free. Services provided to employers are also free.
Telephone: For the nearest Private Industry Council, consult the White Pages of your telephone book.
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