Hayneville Mayor Kelvin Lawrence speaks at the opening of the new Alabama Career Center in Hayneville Wednesday as ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr., left, and Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees look on.
Hayneville—Lowndes County residents seeking employment now have easier access to free job placement, career counseling, job training and other assistance offered by the Alabama Career Center System.
State and local officials were on hand today to open a new career center office inside the Family Guidance Center in Hayneville. The career center will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Wednesday, alternating between Hayneville and a second location at the Fort Deposit Public Library.
• First and third Wednesdays: Fort Deposit Public Library, 24 South Pollard Street, Fort Deposit, 36032
• Second and fourth Wednesdays: Family Guidance Center, 22 Washington Street N, Hayneville, 36040
Lowndes County has experienced double-digit unemployment rates since 2009, according to Alabama Department of Labor statistics. Previously, residents seeking career-center services had to travel between 16 and 34 miles to locations in Greenville, Selma or Montgomery. The new locations bring career center services to their communities.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Alabama Department of Labor work in partnership to provide employment services through the state’s network of career centers.
“Career centers offer valuable, free services to help Alabamians find or prepare for a job,” ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said. “With a new career center closer to home, we hope more Lowndes County residents will be able to take advantage of the services we provide.”
Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees echoed Byard’s sentiments, saying, “We are pleased to be able to offer these valuable, free services to both jobseekers and employers in a more convenient location. Personalized assistance and targeted training can, in some cases, be the essential factor in obtaining a job.”
Services offered at the Lowndes County career center include registration to Alabama Joblink website, help with resume preparation, career and job search assistance and referrals to sources of financial aid and job training programs.
Services for employers include job listings, pre-employment screening and labor market information.
Residents may stop by the career center during business hours or call (334) 548-6307 or toll-free (866) 230-8211 for more information. A listing of career centers located throughout the state is available at www.joblink.alabama.gov.
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News reporters needing more information should contact Mike Presley with ADECA at (334) 242-5525 or Tara Hutchison at the Alabama Department of Labor at (334) 242-8616.