If you are unemployed and seeking work, there are resources throughout San Luis Obispo County to help you. A list of some of the resources is provided below, with a description of the types of services they offer. It is important to note that in a slow economy finding a job becomes a job in itself. Take advantage of these resources to help you develop your resume, jobs skills, and strategy for finding a job. Be sure to consider developing new jobs skills by taking training courses or going back to school if possible.

Department of Social Services & EDD participants should speak to their caseworkers regarding paths to employment programs. There are many that are specific to DSS and EDD that you should access. Some of these programs include:

• Jobs Training
• Welfare to Work
• Childcare Assistance while searching for a job

The Business and Career One-Stops of San Luis Obispo is a comprehensive employment services program funded by federal, state and county agencies. It is an important resource with a wide range of programs to educate, train and provide resources for jobs seekers in San Luis Obispo County. The Program works in partnership with several organizations and agencies. Visit www.slo-onestop.net (805) 903-1400

• Workshops
• Job training
• Career Counseling
• Youth work/training programs
• Job Search and Database Resources

Volunteerism & Community Service is also an important way to develop new job skills while helping the community in which you live. Volunteering your labor will also introduce you to new people and network to find opportunities for jobs that you might otherwise have missed. www.volunteerslo.org is a good website to search for volunteer opportunities.

Introduction

Preparing youth to develop the skills necessary to begin their careers has become increasingly important. There are programs throughout San Luis Obispo County that offer youth jobs and job training. Many of these programs take place during the summer so they don’t interfere with school and sports. There are also programs that involve life skills training as well as jobs skills to prepare young teens to be successful. Take the time to contact each program, as well as research other avenues such as high school career counselors who may be able to assist with internship opportunities.

Internships & Job Skills Development

A few of the contacts and programs below have internship opportunities where they will place you/your child with a business or organization to gain work experience. Often times these programs don’t pay for your time, but you can gain valuable experience and contacts that may lead to paying jobs. Parents and friends are also resources for gaining an internship. Often times businesses will find job tasks for children of family and friends who work there. Take initiative and use as many resources as possible.

WIA Youth Employment Program

• Contact:  The Youth One-Stop at (805) 574-1520
• www.youthemploymentslo.org
  

Teens At Work

Teens at Work is a Program of the LINK that teaches job skills and leadership to youth living in the Atascadero Unified School District who are referred and accepted into the program.  Teens At Work is a business run by teens and supervised by adult mentors. Call (805) 466-1732 for more information. www.teensatwork.bz

LifeBound Leadership

LifeBound Leadership is a youth leadership development program providing youth, ages 12-18, with leadership development opportunities, meaningful community service projects, comprehensive sexual health education, one-to-one and group mentoring, career exploration, job site shadowing, academic and homework support, outdoor education, music and art, and sports/recreational activities.  LifeBound helps realize the “potential” of all youth to become engaged in their community and set positive goals for their future. In this way, the youth can become productive, healthy adults, who are contributing members of their community. LifeBound recently opened a Teen Center hosted by the Paso Robles School District. Call (805) 929-6054 in South County, and North County contact  James Statler at jstatler@capslo.org. www.lifeboundleadership.org

Seniors who are age 55 with low incomes may qualify for a paid, part time community service assignment through PathPoint  who operates the Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP). This program provides job placement for seniors with all salaries paid for by the program. For more information contact PathPoint in San Luis Obispo at 782-8890 or in Atascadero at 466-1809.

Staffing Agencies are for-profit businesses that make money by providing employees under contract to businesses. Agencies are a good resource for finding employment. Since they are for-profit, they actively seek out business clients and benefit directly by finding employees that meet the needs of the employer. Many staffing agencies work with a large variety of business and industries, and therefore can connect you with jobs ranging from manual labor to business management. Working with a Staffing Agencies is not difficult. You will need to make an appointment, supply them with your resume if you have one, and participate in some type of interview. This process varies between agencies, but generally the process takes 1 -2 hours.

Below is a list of Staffing Agencies that services San Luis Obispo County.

• United Staffing Associates – N. County 544-0009 S. County 369-0009
• Continental Labor Resources – N. County 239-9223
• San Luis Personnel Service – 544-1800
• Volt Services Group – North & South County – 349-1212

• Craigslist – a free on-line resource with job postings classified by type – www.craiglist.com
• Centralcoasthelpwanted – a job search website where job seekers can post their resumes for free
• SLO Jobs – a job search website – www.slojobs.com
• Career Builder – a job search website – www.careerbuilder.com
• Cal-Jobs – government sponsored website for job seekers  – http://www.caljobs.org