Jack O'Connell Unveils New Resources to Link Students and Workers to Jobs, Careers, and Beyond
Education Desk
March 12, 2009
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell has announced the creation of an innovative and new Web resource called "California Direct Connect – Links to Your Future." The Web pages are designed to help students and workers find jobs, explore careers, investigate opportunities to continue their education, and access resources to overcome barriers for success in the workplace.
"In these dire economic times, many Californians need help locating job opportunities as well as finding solutions to issues that prevent them from becoming fully employed," said O'Connell. "My staff has been inundated with desperate calls from unemployed and underemployed people who want to know how to increase their education to improve their chances of obtaining better jobs or careers, and to provide a more stable life for their families. California Direct Connect is a new Web resource designed to help all Californians, regardless of their education, their employability status, or other issues preventing them from taking control of their lives."
The California Direct Connect Web pages reside on the California Department of Education (CDE) Web site. CDE staff researched hundreds of governmental Web sites with vital but hard-to-find information on education, jobs and careers, and assistance on overcoming barriers to employment. Staff then compiled the most helpful links and arranged them as a single source to provide visitors with answers to various scenarios.
For example, under the "Finding a Job" section, visitors can personalize their search among links ranging from "I want to find a better job," to "I just lost my job, how do I file for unemployment insurance?" They can access tips to make their résumés stand out, how to prepare for job interviews, locate 'green jobs,' or upgrade their skills.
Under the "Exploring Career Opportunities," visitors can find answers on topics ranging from "I want to go to college or a university in California" to "I am an adult and I cannot read – who can help me?" There are sites that can lead to grants or scholarships for college, locations to take the GED® test for a California High School Equivalency Certificate and a school directory on where to learn English.
Under the "Overcoming Barriers to Work," visitors can find answers to situations such as "I am losing my home, what can I do?" or "I just had a baby and don't know what to do." The portal can guide users to information that will help them find transportation to work, food programs, child care, citizenship, disability assistance, employment for veterans, and programs to help former prisoners transition back into society.
"In these dire economic times, many Californians need help locating job opportunities as well as finding solutions to issues that prevent them from becoming fully employed," said O'Connell. "My staff has been inundated with desperate calls from unemployed and underemployed people who want to know how to increase their education to improve their chances of obtaining better jobs or careers, and to provide a more stable life for their families. California Direct Connect is a new Web resource designed to help all Californians, regardless of their education, their employability status, or other issues preventing them from taking control of their lives."
The California Direct Connect Web pages reside on the California Department of Education (CDE) Web site. CDE staff researched hundreds of governmental Web sites with vital but hard-to-find information on education, jobs and careers, and assistance on overcoming barriers to employment. Staff then compiled the most helpful links and arranged them as a single source to provide visitors with answers to various scenarios.
For example, under the "Finding a Job" section, visitors can personalize their search among links ranging from "I want to find a better job," to "I just lost my job, how do I file for unemployment insurance?" They can access tips to make their résumés stand out, how to prepare for job interviews, locate 'green jobs,' or upgrade their skills.
Under the "Exploring Career Opportunities," visitors can find answers on topics ranging from "I want to go to college or a university in California" to "I am an adult and I cannot read – who can help me?" There are sites that can lead to grants or scholarships for college, locations to take the GED® test for a California High School Equivalency Certificate and a school directory on where to learn English.
Under the "Overcoming Barriers to Work," visitors can find answers to situations such as "I am losing my home, what can I do?" or "I just had a baby and don't know what to do." The portal can guide users to information that will help them find transportation to work, food programs, child care, citizenship, disability assistance, employment for veterans, and programs to help former prisoners transition back into society.
Print
Email
