Career Coaches Take OhioMeansJobs Directly to the People at Columbus Metropolitan Libraries

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In addition to the full-service offerings, Monday – Friday 8 – 5 p.m. at our Job Center at 1111 E. Broad Street, OMJCFC is placing outreach specialists “to meet the people where they’re at,” announced OMJCFC Career Services Project Director Sonya Gant. “We believe it makes sense to reach into the community and offer full-service intake and enrollment into our OhioMeansJobs network and get these folks employed in good-paying jobs.”

“The library often acts as a “front door” to the social services ecosystem we have in Franklin County. We frequently get questions from job seekers about available resources and are always considering how to make connections to community partners easier.  Having Ohio Means Jobs at the Main Library and soon, at the Whitehall branch, is an easy way improve access to necessary services for our customers,” said Rachel Fuller, Information Systems Manager at Columbus Metropolitan Libraries.

OMJCFC partners Columbus Urban League and Goodwill will provide the staff expertise at the Columbus Metropolitan Library to manage intake and job matching services based on candidate backgrounds.  For those just getting started with career exploration, service offerings include a career assessment that predicts jobs that candidates may be interested in based on common things that appeal to them.  Training opportunities, potential funding, and other services can then be recommended for the candidate. 

Talent Development Specialists work one-on-one with clients to determine if they are ready to go directly to a job search or explore if they are interested in training or certification into a specific line of work like CDL training, various IT positions, or an entry-level healthcare position.  These higher-skill jobs are often higher-paying, career-oriented positions that provide long-term benefits. 

Beginning the week of September 18, “Job and Career Matching at the Library” will hold open hours for library customers in the 3rd Floor Business and Nonprofit Resource Center at Main Library on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Beginning in October, Ohio Means Jobs will also offer open hours at the Whitehall Branch, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thursdays. Customers can visit www.columbuslibrary.org for up-to-date information.

For press inquiries please contact: 
Andrew Campbell, Director of Communications, WDBCO  E: acampbell@wdbco.org   P: 614.559.5068