First Posted: 7/31/2013
LUMBERTON — For Patrice Rose, the Robeson County JobLink Career Center put her to work.
Before being introduced to the center, Rose had been unemployed for awhile, did not have a college degree and had no money to pursue an education. The center linked Rose to the Workforce Investment Act Program, which helped pay for her tuition costs so that she could go to school and earn a degree.
“I graduated with my associate’s degree in Applied Sciences from Robeson Community College,” Rose said. “Now I work for the Public Schools of Cumberland County as a bookkeeper.”
Rose is one of many people who have found a job through the center — and with the center extending its hours, more people have the opportunity to utilize the center’ resources.
“It gives people who may not get off work until 5 in the evening, a chance to use our services,” said Peggy Hunt-Davis, employment services manager for the center.
The center, which is located at 289 Corporate Drive in Lumberton, will now be open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. The center is closed on Sundays.
The center provides job seekers and employers access to a variety of employment and training services, such as free computer and Internet access; resume preparation; help with job searches; information on training and education; work ethics workshops; college financial aid workshops; veterans services; job placement for non-English speaking workers and more.
“Anything you can think of involving job services, we do,” Hunt-Davis said.
JobLink helps employers screen candidates and provides a place for on-site interviews. The center will also provide rapid response services, where JobLink staff visit businesses that are going out of business or making permanent layoffs and notify employees of services that they may have available to them.
“Whatever needs the employers have, we try to accommodate them,” Hunt-Davis said.
All of the services provided by the center are free to job seekers and employers.
For information, visit http://www.lumberriverwdb.org/joblinks.cfm or call 910-618-5500