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January 24, 2001
Contact: Darin Mann at (225) 342-7969

Local dignitaries join state Department of Labor Secretary Garey Forster in Morgan City to cut the ribbon on the second One-Stop career center in St. Mary Parish.

BATON ROUGE -The Louisiana Department of Labor's (LDOL) Morgan City Job Center combined forces with its regional partners to create a one-stop career center to better serve customers in St. Mary Parish. Secretary of Labor Garey Forster was the keynote speaker at the grand opening ceremony held at the new office.

The St. Mary Parish One-Stop, located in Morgan City, now offers all employment and training related services in one location. Partners at the Center include LDOL's Morgan City Job Center, Acadiana One-Stop, Community Services Block Grant, Job Corps, Louisiana Rehabilitation Service, La. Technical College-Young Memorial Campus, and Senior Employment and Training.

"The new career center is another example of how we are working to make government more customer-focused and to make services more easily accessible," said Gov. Mike Foster.

"The one-stop concept of including more than one partner in a centralized location is something we are working to establish across the state, especially in our rural areas," said Secretary Garey Forster. "St. Mary Parish residents will no longer have to drive 30 minutes to Franklin or Houma to get computer training, placement services, and Internet access. All of the services that we offer in our regular offices will be available at the one-stop, and we want to make it as easy as possible for anyone needing assistance to find and receive it."

Employers visiting the one-stop will be able to list job openings, recruit and interview applicants, and receive certifications for tax credits. They will also be able to receive information on subsidized training programs, local labor market information, the Welfare-to-Work Partnership, and LDOL's Incumbent Worker Training program.

Jobseekers, whether employed or unemployed, will be able to receive career counseling and job skills training. Computers will be available for Internet job searches and résumé preparation. Information and assistance on topics ranging from how to prepare for a job interview to how to obtain community services will also be available.

The St. Mary Parish One-Stop is located in the Wyandotte Shopping Center at 7710 Highway 90 in Morgan City. Services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Jeannie Bailey at (504) 380-2448 or log on to www.LAWORKS.net.