Contact: Chris Chesrown
Media Relations Manager
480-731-8503

For Immediate Release

"RAPID RESPONSE" AIMS TO FIND JOBS FOR UNEMPLOYED
Workforce Development Office Helps Laid-Off Workers Identify Skills and Retrain

December 14, 2001 - As the nation's jobless rate hits its highest mark in six years, at 5-point-7 percent, efforts are already underway to help those who have lost their jobs find new work. In Maricopa County alone, more than 16,000 layoffs have occurred or are projected to occur for the period between April 2001 through January 6, 2002. Another 4,950 layoffs have been announced for the remainder of 2002.

The Center for Workforce Development at the Maricopa Community Colleges, in partnership with the City of Phoenix, Maricopa County, the Department of Economic Security and local businesses, is helping the unemployed identify their skills and determine how those skills will transfer to new positions.

"Losing your job is never easy. It's stressful economically, professionally and personally. That's why we want to help people get back to work," says Mary Vanis, the Director of Workforce Development. "We call it our Rapid Response plan because we want to help these people get back on track as quickly as possible, maybe their skills and interests will transfer easily to another industry."

Representatives from the Maricopa Community Colleges are conducting workshops at One-Stop Centers throughout the valley, focused on resume development, career options, and financial planning. In addition, Career Night programs will focus on particular occupational fields that are hiring, such as health care, manufacturing and teaching. The displaced employees will be given the chance to talk with counselors who can help them explore options in how their current skills might transfer to a new field, or explore training options in a different area.

"Our mission is to ensure that the Greater Phoenix economy has a skilled labor pool, which meets the existing and emerging workforce needs of the employer community," says Vanis. "We exist in a dynamic New Global Economy where workforce demands of the public and private sector evolve and change at a rapid pace… the past few months have made those changes occur even quicker."

The workshops and career nights are currently being scheduled through January. Counseling on financial aid will also be made available to the participants.

The Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the nation. It includes 10 colleges - Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College. The District also includes the Maricopa Skill Center, Southwest Skill Center, several satellite campuses and business/industry, technical and customized training institutes and serves roughly a quarter million students annually. For more information: 480-731-8000 or www.maricopa.edu

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March 13, 2002