Workforce Challenge:

After working less than a year at both a bank and later at a restaurant, Graciela found herself unemployed for almost two years. She searched for jobs online, but Graciela felt that not having a certificate was holding her back from succeeding. With no career in sight, she looked for occupational training that would help her become more successful in her job search.

Workforce Solution:

While attending an orientation at Downey Adult School, Graciela heard about SELACO WDB America’s Job Center in Cerritos and learned about a no-cost pathway to becoming a Medical Assistant.  SELACO enrolled her into a 27-week training and supported her by purchasing her scrubs, shoes, gas cards and testing.  After earning her medical assistant / phlebotomist certificate, Graciela completed 200 hours of work experience at a medical center in Inglewood.

Workforce Results:

Graciela’s friend helped her get an interview with Medical Group in Maywood and she was hired as a Medical Assistant. Part of her duties will include taking vital signs and administering vaccines. She appreciates the Monday through Friday schedule and regular hours. “This is a great opportunity.” Graciela stated referring to SELACO WDB’s training and services. “Try your best during your training and interview. Everything is possible.” She added.

Workforce Challenge

Susan worked in customer service for a few months, followed by almost a year of unemployment. She felt that the lack of knowledge about resources available was holding her back from succeeding and finding a good job. 

Workforce Solution:

Susan was looking for assistance with her education, job placement and equipment.  A classmate of Susan’s who was taking the same medical assistant / phlebotomy program as she was, referred Susan to the SELACO Workforce Development Board in Cerritos.  She found that the SELACO WDB staff were very supportive and were able to fund her shoes, scrubs, gas cards and more. Susan continued her job search on Indeed.com and also asked others who was hiring.

Workforce Results:

After applying for a job online, Susan was interviewed and hired as a Medical Assistant / Phlebotomist in the city of La Palma.  Her job duties will include taking vitals, rooming patients and assisting with medical procedures. She enjoys the salary, location, job duties, hours and room for growth. Susan advises other job seekers, “Don’t give up. Keep looking and applying.”

Workforce Challenge:

Sergio was referred to the SELACO WDB America’s Job Center in Cerritos because he was seeking job search assistance after being out of work for a significant length of time. Without recent work experience, Sergio needed new skills that would lead to a secure and bright future so that he could support himself and his family.

Workforce Solution:

Sergio attended job search workshops, received career counseling, resumé assistance and interview advice. His Career Development Specialist (CDS) was diligent in helping him fill out paperwork and scheduled meetings. Sergio stated that his CDS “made the process fun and enjoyable.” SELACO enrolled Sergio into the California Truck Driving Academy and provided gas cards and moral support during his education. 

Workforce Results and Outcome:

In December 2021 Sergio completed eight weeks of truck driver training and was hired full-time by Rifle Freight in early January. Sergio will be working in the warehouse until he is able to get 18 months of driving experience under his belt. “I want to thank all the SELACO team for the wonderful experience that I had through every step of the process. Now that I have my class A driver’s license, I plan to keep on working with my counselor Renee G., to assist me with finding a trucking career. I am excited for me and my family because a trucking career will bring new opportunities.”

Workforce Challenge:         

Richard began his workforce journey after he was referred to the SELACO WDB America’s Job Center in Cerritos. He was seeking job placement assistance and career guidance to secure employment with a strong career path. He searched for jobs on Craig’s List and asked friends for any leads or referrals. Richard stated that his biggest challenge was himself and his lack of confidence. He felt that he needed knowledge in a particular field.

Workforce Solution:

Richard was co-enrolled with a SELACO partner agency and completed an 11-week Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) apprenticeship training. He also earned his certification in CPR, First Aid, and OSHA. SELACO supported the purchase of his work boots, transportation assistance, driver license fees, work clothing and his union dues.  

Workforce Benefits and Outcomes:                                                                                                               

After his training, Local Union 300 hired Richard as a laborer for a company in Santa Monica. He will be installing pipes underground, digging trenches, paving and much more. He stated that he loves everything about his new job, “I get the opportunity to learn new things and grow within my organization. I get taught, then I get tested in actual scenarios. When I succeed, it feels empowering. I love it every time.”

Workforce Challenge:

Rafael was unemployed for 10 years and had zero work experience.  He searched for jobs both online and in person but without experience, schooling or certified skills, he failed at finding employment.  Rafael was referred to the America’s Job Center of California in Cerritos to seek training and job placement services.

Workforce Solution:

After enrolling with the SELACO Workforce Development Board, Rafael worked closely with his Career Development Specialist (CDS) and was given the opportunity to go to school to become a certified welder. He completed a 4-month training at Welding Certification Center in Pomona and SELACO financed his work clothing and tools.

Workforce Results / Outcome:

After Rafael completed his training program, he was offered numerous jobs immediately. He accepted a new position in San Dimas as a Certified Welder and will be welding and fabricating staircases for Amazon warehouses. Within 8 months of starting employment Rafael earned a $7 raise.  He enjoys the salary, the hours, job duties and paid time off.  Rafael advises, “Don’t give up.  It’s hard work, but if you commit and are determined, you can and will be successful. Take any help that is offered to you.”  

Workforce Challenge:

After being unemployed for 24 months, and establishing a brand-new life, Nellie became serious about her job search. Having enjoyed a background in retail, she thought that her customer service skills experience would be a good asset to bring to any job. With a will to make better choices and a goal to find steady employment, Nellie was referred to the SELACO WDB America’s Job Center of California in Cerritos for job search support and assistance.

Workforce Solution:

Nellie searched and applied to various jobs online, attended a job search workshop series and a 4-day seminar on high performance thinking at the AJCC. Her Career Development Specialist (CDS) provided her with supportive services and career guidance. Nellie was very interested in seeking employment at the Los Angeles County Alcohol and Drug Abuse (LA CADA) center where she could follow her passion for helping people overcome their addictions. SELACO established LA CADA as a worksite and Nellie was not only interviewed but was selected and completed 200 hours of paid work experience. With the aid of a special grant, she also completed an additional 400 hours. In that time, she earned her first aid CPR certification.

Workforce Result:

Nellie made such outstanding impression; management was eager to offer her a permanent position. She was finally hired as full-time Monitor at LA CADA, in Santa Fe Springs and stated that she likes everything about the new job. She expressed that she was thrilled to land the position and is eternally grateful for the opportunity. Her advice to other job seekers is, “Believe in yourself and push forward.” Now with new hope and secure employment, she is anxious to pursue a career as a drug and alcohol counselor.

Congratulations!

 Workforce Challenge:

Mark was rehired as a mechanical engineer with his previous employer on a 4-month, temporary assignment. At the end of February 2021, he was laid off again, but took this time to recover from shoulder surgery. Mark visited the AJCC in Cerritos to find out about his unemployment insurance, but also sought information about job training from the SELACO Workforce Development Board. SELACO WDB scheduled Mark to take a very valuable job training, but unfortunately due to challenges, the school needed to postpone training to 6 months to a year out. He continued to search for positions online using Indeed, LinkedIn, CalJOBs, and Monster but felt that his biggest challenge was understanding how job searching has changed.

Workforce Solution:

SELACO WDB helped Mark by exposing him to various networking sites, new approaches to resumé writing and how to brand himself. “The staff have been very helpful to me.  I have seen their dedication to their customers. They have provided relevant and timely information regarding job searching.” stated, Mark.  He attended different workshops and Job Club on Fridays, watched recommended videos, networked and developed relations with several online recruiters, one of which helped him land his current position. 

Workforce Outcome and Results:

After several months, Mark was approached by a recruiter who saw his resumé on Indeed.com. Following the interview process, he was offered a full-time position in the beauty industry for a company that makes hydradermabrasion equipment and formulas in North Long Beach.  He will be working as a SOLIDWORKS Designer creating new product designs and updating SOLIDWORKS drawings. Mark appreciates the good salary and that the job is only a 20-minute drive from his home. He stated that the youthful staff are enjoyable to be around, and that he also enjoys working on the product line that this company produces. Mark advises other job seekers, “Up until recently, when looking for a job we would reveal our skills at using a particular software or our ability to operate a piece of equipment.  We would list the companies we worked for and what we did there. Today, this seems to be the wrong approach. We need to let the potential employer know how valuable an asset we are, demonstrate how we will improve the quality of their team and convince them that we will contribute to the company’s success.”

Congratulations, Mark!

Workforce Challenge

Josiah had been working in the restaurant business in downtown Los Angeles for nearly 6 months. After losing his job, he was unemployed for 4 weeks while looking for a better opportunity doing what he loves to do. He felt that his biggest challenge was finding a job closer to home. 

Workforce Solution

The Salvation Army in Bell referred Josiah to the America’s job Center of California in Cerritos.  There he worked with a Career Development Specialist and received coaching and support. Josiah also attended virtual job search workshops, a 4-day positive mindset seminar entitled, “Steps to Economic and Personal Success.”  He was so inspired and motivated that he immediately started applying for jobs right away. While searching online, Josiah applied for a position for a line cook. 

Workforce Outcome and Benefits

Now working full-time as a Sauté Chef in a local restaurant located in Cerritos, Josiah happily said that he enjoys the salary, the location and the work hours of his new job. He advises other job seekers; “It doesn’t matter how hard life knocks you down. Just get back up and keep moving.”

Workforce Challenge:

After being unemployed for 7 years, Jorge was referred to the SELACO WDB America’s Job Center of California in Cerritos to access job search assistance, resources, and workshops on interviewing and resumé writing. With very little work experience in warehousing and being out of work for so long, Jorge’s self-esteem and confidence were at an all time low. Gaining the right skills and finding a good job seemed almost impossible.

Workforce Solution:

Jorge worked closely with his Career Development Specialist (CDS) who helped ease his anxieties by providing an abundance of resources, job leads and guidance at every step of the way.  His CDS also coached him on how to positively talk about his past and to focus on what he could bring to the job. He searched for jobs online using websites like Craigslist, Snagajob, LinkedIn and all other mobile job apps.

Workforce Results:

After being turned down by every job he interviewed for and failing the background checks, a friend of Jorge’s told him about a job opening at her place of employment. Jorge applied for the job, got an interview and was hired as restaurant staff in Cerritos as a Food Preparer.  He will be cooking meals, prepping ingredients and working together with wait staff to provide a fast and positive dining experience to customers. SELACO provided Jorge’s work clothing, shoes and other supportive services to aid his success on the job.  He is happy to be able to earn money, build on his work experience and pay his bills. He recommends SELACO WDB and advises other job seekers, “Don’t give up, and put your best foot forward.”

Workforce Challenge:

Hilario had great jobs in the past including being a supervisor twice, but after being unemployed for over a decade, he felt that his biggest challenge was not having recent work experience. Hilario was referred to SELACO WDB America’s Job Center in Cerritos because he was interested in training and job placement assistance.

Workforce Solution:

After enrolling with SELACO WDB, Hilario worked closely with his Career Development Specialist (CDS) who provided, career guidance and counseling. He attended virtual job search workshops, networked and looked for jobs online using websites like CalJOBS. While looking online, Hilario applied for Bumblebee Seafood Company in Santa Fe Springs as a Label Operator. SELACO supported a work experience assignment for Hilario at Bumblebee and after 400 plus hours he began an on-the-job training (OJT) with the same company.

Workforce Results:

Hilario continues to work at Bumblebee full-time. He will be operating machinery and making sure that they run properly. SELACO reimbursed him for work clothing and a bicycle that provided transportation to his job.  In addition, Hilario earned his forklift and pallet jack certification. He is grateful that he now has a job and enjoys the salary.  “I can honestly say if you put your effort in, SELACO will help you get a job. The rest is up to you.” Hilario stated.