Lake County Record Bee - New employment resource enter opens in Clearlake
January 29, 2010
Lake One Stop, Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its new Clearlake location Wednesday. Many joined in the celebration including business and community partners, area government officials, and representatives of Congressman Mike Thompson and Assemblyman Wes Chesbro.
Lake One Stop is an employment resource and service agency with programs benefiting both the employer and the employee. Programs aim to identify and develop skills compatible with area workforce needs and desires.
Lake One Stop, Inc. President Richard Birk, who served as master of ceremonies, said the addition of the a second Lake One Stop location in Lake County is a much anticipated accomplishment realized in a time of rising unemployment rates and a flailing economy. He said the new Clearlake location centralizes resources increasing accessibility to those seeking to gain the skills desired by local employers.
Brad Onorato delivered a message of congratulations and gratitude on behalf of Congressman Thompson. He said job creation is essential as the nation begins recovery from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
"As the economy begins to recover, it is critically important that residents in Lake County that want and need jobs posses the necessary skills to compete for those positions when those jobs become available," Onorato said. "As the skills of our workforce continue to improve, it in turn will make Lake County and especially Clearlake an even more attractive location for existing businesses to expand and entrepreneurs to start a new business."
Assemblyman Chesbro sent a similar message with Representative Ruth Valenzuela. "During these difficult financial times, it is more important than ever to focus on workforce development. I commend you for taking this important step to assist the residents of Clearlake," she said. "Providing job search assistance can reduce unemployment in Clearlake while providing training to potential new hires helps local businesses by improving the quality of the Clearlake employee pool."
City of Clearlake Mayor Judy Thein, Second District Supervisor Jeff Smith, Third District Supervisor Jim Comstock as well as program participants also offered gracious words.
"We've been working with One Stop for quite awhile now. The staff is very helpful and when they say they are going to call you back they do," Bill Stone, co-owner of A&B Collision said. "We love the young man working for us now and he's really learned a lot and he will be employable either in our shop or someplace else."
Yohannes Gebrezgi, 23, said after the ceremony that he was had little options and was unsure of his future when he first came to Clearlake. "This program has motivated me to keep going," he said. "Now that I have a job I feel situated; I'm just trying to work a little bit harder now. I learn something new everyday plus it's hands-on."
Natasha Russell, 18, who spent some time in the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce office last year through the program, said she learned social skills, how to better interact with the community, computer skills, networking and gained work ethic knowledge.
"The person I worked for is a great person. From here I have a reference who will support me through my career path," Russell said. "I also have a job training worker to help me as well."
The new Lake One Stop Clearlake location is 4477-A Moss Avenue, next to H&R Block. In Lakeport, the agency is located at 55 First Street. Telephone numbers are 994-0633 and 263-0630, respectively.
Lake One Stop is an employment resource and service agency with programs benefiting both the employer and the employee. Programs aim to identify and develop skills compatible with area workforce needs and desires.
Lake One Stop, Inc. President Richard Birk, who served as master of ceremonies, said the addition of the a second Lake One Stop location in Lake County is a much anticipated accomplishment realized in a time of rising unemployment rates and a flailing economy. He said the new Clearlake location centralizes resources increasing accessibility to those seeking to gain the skills desired by local employers.
Brad Onorato delivered a message of congratulations and gratitude on behalf of Congressman Thompson. He said job creation is essential as the nation begins recovery from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
"As the economy begins to recover, it is critically important that residents in Lake County that want and need jobs posses the necessary skills to compete for those positions when those jobs become available," Onorato said. "As the skills of our workforce continue to improve, it in turn will make Lake County and especially Clearlake an even more attractive location for existing businesses to expand and entrepreneurs to start a new business."
Assemblyman Chesbro sent a similar message with Representative Ruth Valenzuela. "During these difficult financial times, it is more important than ever to focus on workforce development. I commend you for taking this important step to assist the residents of Clearlake," she said. "Providing job search assistance can reduce unemployment in Clearlake while providing training to potential new hires helps local businesses by improving the quality of the Clearlake employee pool."
City of Clearlake Mayor Judy Thein, Second District Supervisor Jeff Smith, Third District Supervisor Jim Comstock as well as program participants also offered gracious words.
"We've been working with One Stop for quite awhile now. The staff is very helpful and when they say they are going to call you back they do," Bill Stone, co-owner of A&B Collision said. "We love the young man working for us now and he's really learned a lot and he will be employable either in our shop or someplace else."
Yohannes Gebrezgi, 23, said after the ceremony that he was had little options and was unsure of his future when he first came to Clearlake. "This program has motivated me to keep going," he said. "Now that I have a job I feel situated; I'm just trying to work a little bit harder now. I learn something new everyday plus it's hands-on."
Natasha Russell, 18, who spent some time in the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce office last year through the program, said she learned social skills, how to better interact with the community, computer skills, networking and gained work ethic knowledge.
"The person I worked for is a great person. From here I have a reference who will support me through my career path," Russell said. "I also have a job training worker to help me as well."
The new Lake One Stop Clearlake location is 4477-A Moss Avenue, next to H&R Block. In Lakeport, the agency is located at 55 First Street. Telephone numbers are 994-0633 and 263-0630, respectively.
Issues:Jobs & Economy