As unemployment soars, “S.E. Works” responds, to help ever more job seekers

By Merry Mackinnon

The Bee, Apr 1, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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Another difference, these days, is that most jobs are posted on, and applications are sent on, computers. And that’s a problem, because many recently-laid-off workers come into the center not knowing how to use computers.

“One piece of training we give them is computer skills,” Nothwang explains. “Because in this day and age, you have to apply for jobs online, and you have to have an e-mail address.”

“I had one gentleman — he also didn’t have a high school diploma. He’s 55 years old, and he’s going to have a really hard time in this market," Nothwang adds.

But while Soderberg’s agency can’t change the economics of the marketplace, it can offer support for earning high school diplomas and for career training, including possibly short-term money for re-training — for instance, as a medical assistant, or in other fields that still seem promising in this economy.

And S.E. Works will soon receive additional funding for training and supportive services through the federal stimulus package, Soderberg adds.

“We have ceilings on what we’ll pay, but we can offer training through ‘skills upgrades’, and in Portland Community College certificate programs,” she says. “Now’s the time for people to increase their skills and get the training they need.”

“S.E. Works” and “WorkSource Portland Southeast” are both located at 6927 S.E. Foster Road.

For more information, call 503/772-2300, or visit online at: www.seworks.org.

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