Coal miners

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $7.4 million National Emergency Grant (NEG) to WorkForce West Virginia to provide retraining and reemployment services to dislocated coal miners and displaced homemakers impacted by mass layoffs and coal mine closures. The grant will help participants find new career paths outside of the coal mining industry and long-term reemployment opportunities.

About the grant

The grant provides up to $5,000 per participant for Classroom Occupational Skills Training in an occupation expected to be high demand, such as Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Welding, Electrical Engineering, HVAC, Diesel Technology, Chemical Processor, etc. Participants who meet training program attendance requirements will be eligible for training allowances to cover the cost of gas, food, child care, etc. at the rate of $20 per day for the days attending class, up to $100 per week.

Who qualifies as a displaced homemaker?

The term “displaced homemaker” means an individual who has been providing unpaid services to family members in the home and who has been dependent on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income; and is unemployed or underemployed and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment. As a result of the lost income or dramatic reduction in income, it may be necessary for a spouse or another member of the family living in the household, to obtain employment or participate in occupational skills training that would make them marketable to find employment in order to support the family. Displaced Homemakers may be a spouse or another member of the family living in the home.

Not sure what you would be interested in? Click here to see jobs that are in demand in West Virginia.

Eligibility

To be determined eligible, contact the local WorkForce West Virginia office in your area.

Learn how this Grant has Helped Others

tristateupdate.com

Trade assistance: Help for those affected by foreign imports or shifts of production outside the United States

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) helps those who became unemployed due to layoffs as a result of foreign imports or a shift of production out of the United States. Workers are eligible for TAA program services if a petition submitted on behalf of the workers is certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, determining that the workers were separated from their employment due to foreign competition.

Benefits and services

• Training: Training consists of one Occupational Skills training plan, but may include a group of courses (components) related to a specific Occupational Goal. Training may be in form of classroom, on-line (distance learning) training, or on-the-job training. All training must be approved in advance by Workforce West Virginia’s State Trade Unit.
• Travel Allowance: May be eligible to receive a daily mileage allowance to assist with travel costs while attending training outside the normal commuting distance.
• Subsistence Allowance: May be eligible to receive a room and board expenses while attending training outside the normal commuting distance.
• Supply Allowance: May be eligible to receive a reimbursement per quarter/semester/term/session of up to $150.00 for training related supplies.
• TRA Benefits: May be eligible to receive up to 130 weeks of Income Support payments. Trade Readjustment Assistance (TRA) is administered by WorkForce West Virginia’s Unemployment Insurance Division.
• Job Search Allowance: May be eligible for a reimbursement up to 90% for travel, meals, and lodging expenses. Maximum amount of reimbursement cannot exceed $1,250 for prearranged interviews beyond the normal commuting distance, and must be approved, in advance, by the WorkForce West Virginia’s State TAA Unit.
• Relocation Allowance: You must have accepted a job outside your normal commuting distance and receive prior approval from the WorkForce West Virginia’s TAA Unit for your relocation. You will receive up to 90% of reasonable and necessary expenses, and you will receive a lump sum of three (3) times your former average weekly wage, not to exceed $1,250 for the move.
• Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA): A wage subsidy program offered to workers 50 years or older. The wage subsidy may not exceed $10,000 or two years, whichever occurs first. If you participate in the RTAA program, you can still attend training.

For more information,

Workforce West Virginia State TAA Unit - 1-877-967-5498

doleta.gov

Congratulations! After successfully reviewing and completing the five previous steps, you are now ready to begin your job search! This is a very exciting time for you, and there a number of resources available at your disposal to help you find the job that is just right for you!

Begin your online West Virginia job search today:

Browse the MACC, the state’s largest job database, to find available jobs in your area.

Find a job

Enroll in the MACC to start finding positions available for your skill level.

public.workforcewv.org

For more information, questions or individualized assistance, contact WorkForce West Virginia:

1-800-252-JOBS

Find a job fair in your local community

Apprenticeship Opportunity Statewide When:
**UPDATED** US Sen Manchin’s Job and Resource Fairs Across West Virginia Multiple dates and locations
GetReady Resources Training and Information for Job Seekers Specific date and time- Not Applicable
Law Enforcement Career Fair Wednesday November 9, 2016 10 am – 2 pm Pittsburg, PA
Veterans Resource Fair Sunday November 13, 2016 1 pm – 5 pm Moorfield

First and foremost, thank you for your service to both our country and our state. We understand that as a veteran, returning to civilian life can be challenging and include a number of life-changing decisions. Upon returning home, you may decide to continue your education or find a new career path. No matter where you fall on your career journey, WorkForce West Virginia is here to help!

In accordance with Title 38, US Code and State legislation, qualified veterans are entitled to receive a priority in all employment and training programs and services. The Employment Service, a partner in the WorkForce West Virginia One-Stop Career Centers, is the delivery agent for U.S. Department of Labor-funded employment and training programs. Services are provided to all veterans through a network of Job Service offices in West Virginia.

Jobs for Veterans State Grant

Veterans and eligible persons meeting eligibility requirements may be referred to specific veterans’ program staff for specialized services. Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPS) are responsible for providing intensive services to qualified veterans at the WorkForce center or itinerant site with a goal of long term sustainable employment of the veteran. Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVER) conduct outreach to employer and employer groups such as business, industry, and other community-based organizations by serving as an advocate for the hiring of veterans.

Operation Opportunity: Job fair assistance program

Hilton Worldwide and WorkForce West Virginia have partnered on Operation Opportunity Initiative. This is a program designed to provide hotel room assistance to veterans with job interviews, skills training, housing searches and any employment testing that would make travel a necessity during your job search. The rooms are provided to veterans at no charge, and WorkForce West Virginia offers assistance with the application process at local offices across the state.

In addition to helping with interview skills and resumes, this program serves as one more way West Virginia is working to assist current service members, veterans and their spouses find jobs faster and most easily than ever before.

For more information, click here.

West Virginia Military Connection

By logging on to this portal, veterans can find links to services for employment, health care, training and education programs and a number of family resources, as well as local contacts and information on benefits specific to veterans.

wvmilitaryconnection.org

Additional services

The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) provides a 24/7 online resource assistance to all veterans, as well as to employers who want to hire veterans. The site was designed to be a virtual “first stop” for veterans, transitioning service members and their spouses in the employment search processes. The site brings together job banks, state employment offices, AJCs, opportunities in top trending industry sectors and employer assistance.

For more information, visit:

veterans.gov

Additional online resources

A variety of federal and state assistance programs and organizations are available to help veterans transition back into civilian life and find stable, long-term employment opportunities.

dol.gov

ebenefits.va.gov

mynextmove.org

veterans.wv.gov

Once you receive the proper training and education needed for your desired career field, it is time to prepare and perfect the skills you need to look for and apply to specific jobs. The fifth step in the process will provide you with information on how to fill out a job application, craft a great resume, prepare an effective cover letter, perfect your interview skills and access additional job search assistance.

WorkForce West Virginia offers free job search workshops every month.

Completing a job application

We understand that filling out a job application can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Your application is where you get to convey your accomplishments, past experience and willingness to work hard to obtain the job at hand.

Completing a job application online can require a lot of steps. To help you navigate the online application process, consider these tips.

• Some companies divide applications into separate pages. If you reach the bottom of a page and the option to save application is listed, be sure to click that feature. Do not click continue until you have saved your application.
• Do not click your browser’s back button. If you need to revisit a previous page in the application, click the application’s previous button, usually located in the upper-left or lower-left corner of the page.
• Complete all required fields. If you submit an incomplete application, the page may generate an error message and clear all of your information.

careeronestop.org

Developing your resume

Your resume and cover letter are your personal marketing materials. Whether you are beginning a resume from scratch or are looking to update outdated application materials, we’ve put together general reminders to help you craft a solid resume that can easily be tailored to specific job listings moving forward.

A good resume is the key to securing a job interview.

Elements of a resume

• Contact Information – Always include contact information at the top of your resume so the employer will know how to contact you.
• Skills – Include information on your skills within the top portion of the document, so the employer will know you are qualified.
• Work History – Here is where you include any relevant work experience, including tasks you performed and overall duties and responsibilities for each position.
• Education – Begin listing your education with your most recent/highest degree level obtained first. Consider including relevant course work and extracurricular clubs and activities.

Free templates

There are different formats for resumes, and it is important to find and use the resume format that is best for you.

Not all resumes look the same. Click here to download a free template to give you a guiding idea of how to arrange and convey your information.

Writing an effective cover letter

The purpose of a cover letter is to capture the employer’s attention so they will spend more time reviewing your resume – with the ultimate goal of setting up an interview. Your cover letter can be used for two purposes: to inquire about job openings or to actually apply for specific job openings.

A cover letter should not be a mass-mailed, generic document. Rather, it should be addressed to a specific recipient, and if possible, should mention a specific job with the company.

While not all employers require a cover letter, including this additional piece can strengthen your application and make your materials stand out among other candidate submissions.

Parts of a cover letter

• Salutation – Address the letter to a specific person. Try to refrain from using Dear Sir/Madam or To whom it may concern.
• Introduction – Begin the letter by telling the employer what position you are applying for and how you heard about the opening.
• Body – The body of the letter should tell the employer why you are a good fit for the position. Give examples of your talents, but do not repeat your resume.
• Closing – In closing, request an interview and your willingness to answer any additional questions the employer may have.
• Signature – Sign the letter boldly with blue ink to show the employer the letter isn’t a photocopy.

Free templates

Write your cover letter in your tone of voice and in a way that works best for you.

Click here to download free templates to serve as guides to overall structure and generic language.

Preparing for your interview

Your strong application materials have resulted in an interview. Now what’s next?

Contrary to popular belief, preparation is key in an interview. Common perception is that you can’t prepare for an interview, because you do not know what questions the employer will ask. As it turns out, there are a number of important tips to follow to ensure you are prepared for your scheduled interview.

Local career centers offer mock interviews. Call a career center near you today to schedule your practice interview.

Assistance with employment challenges

Everyone’s journey to employment is different. If you are in need of special assistance, the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) may be able to help. DRS helps those with physical or mental disabilities address barriers that may be interfering with their ability to prepare for or maintain employment.

Rehabilitation counselors are available to set up a free, individualized plan for employment that will outline the services needed to help you reach your employment goal.

For more information, visit:

wvdrs.org

Background checks

It is not unusual for companies to require background checks on potential employees. For more information, download:

Background Checks