Work Force Celebrates Two Years
By Cathy Patton
WELCH - Officials and well-wishers joined the local Work Force West Virginia team Friday morning in celebrating the second Anniversary of the McDowell County Work Force West Virginia Career Center.
The local center is located at 110 Park Avenue, Welch.
In explaining the services that the center offers, Employment Services Manager and Team Leader Ron Wyatt noted that Work Force West Virginia can be of help to both job seekers and employees “all the way around…The end result of all of it is to get someone a job,” he said.
The mission of the center is to “provide a comprehensive program of employment, training and educational services while recognizing the need to enhance the characteristics of the region’s labor market and business climate.”
“The bottom line is that you can get services if you just call and ask,” Wyatt said.
In offering congratulations for a job well done, County Commission President Gordon Lambert commended the center for being an asset to the community. Now that the federal prison is under construction, Lambert said the services provided by the center are even more valuable.
Region I Service Manager Robin Morgan expressed gratitude for all the hard work that went into the center.
“Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to get the center. With all that’s going on, it’s needed now more than ever.”
Morgan explained that Work Force has united with the County Commission and the EDA to be the umbrella agency for the Bureau of Prisons local project at Indian Ridge.
“If you want to work for the prison, go online and check on your credit,” she said.
She added that the Bureau of Prisons is not looking for a particular credit score or number, but to insure that a prospective employee pays their just debts and monthly bills on time.
Morgan encouraged the public to watch for the trainings that will be offered in the future, which will deal specifically with Bureau of Prison requirements.
“The trainings, she said, will be driven by what the prison requires.”
She added that a number of services and goods are required to operate the prison. Consequently, Morgan said, “The entrepreneurial opportunities are endless.”
The Work Force West Virginia Career Center partners with the DHHR, Adult Basic Education, colleges and universities, community-based organizations, WV Dept. of Rehabilitation, WV Dept. of Corrections, Human Resources Development Corp. RESA, Region I Work Force, Educational Opportunity Center and Experience Works. The center also partners with Veterans Services, Veterans Administration Prevention Vets Center, PTSS, Women’s Business Center, CSM, Mission WV Compute Lab, Region I Business Services, WVU Extension Services Disabilities and Program Navigator.
