Resource Guide: Where to Find Tips, Testing and Training at Little or No Cost

L.A. Times Archives

June 8, 1998 12 AM PT

Apprenticeship Preparation Classes

Sponsored by the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Services:

* Preparation of trainees so they can meet apprenticeship entry requirements in a variety of trades, including sheet metal, plumbing, steam fitting, painting/drywall, electrical, sprinkler fitting, carpentry, air conditioning/refrigeration

* Information on selection processes of various union apprenticeship programs

* Instruction and review in math, reading and mechanical aptitude.

* Focus on minorities and women, but open to all qualified applicants

Eligibility:

* 18 years or older

* Valid California driver’s license

* Ability to provide own transportation

Enrollment: Program features open enrollment and operates on a year-round basis, with new classes forming every 10 weeks.

Cost: $5 registration fee

Hours: Classes offered 8 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address:

* African-American Unity Center, 944 W. 53rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90037, (213) 789-5656

* East Los Angeles Skills Center, 3921 Selig Place, Los Angeles, CA 90031, (213) 227-0018

* Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center, 10925 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90059, (213) 564-1431

Aware Advisory Center

Services: Vocational and educational counseling; not a placement service

Cost: $5 donation per visit (may be waived for the unemployed); $20 fee for Strong Interest Inventory testing (includes counseling)

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon. and Wed.

Address: Santa Monica YWCA, 2019 14th St., Santa Monica, CA 90405

Telephone: (310) 452-3833

Brady JobNet

Serves primarily lower-income individuals and families in East Los Angeles and surrounding areas, but all persons are welcome.

Services:

* Two-day employment readiness seminar in English

* Job-search mentoring

* Help with resumes

* Interview practice

* Placement and follow-ups

* Referrals to employers

* Job club

Cost: Free to participants and employers

Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 717 S. Brady Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90022

Telephone: (213) 722-4495

Braille Institute

Nonprofit organization provides a wide variety of services to people who are legally blind. Offers more than 200 classes in independent living skills.

Career services:

* Learning Center for active job seekers. Offers classes covering resume writing, interview skills and adaptive equipment

* Career development

* Job search and placement

* On-site job analysis before and after placement

* Subsidy program for adaptive equipment

* Annual seminar for employers

* Free consultations to employers regarding visual impairment in the workplace

* School-to-work transition services for youths 16-20 years of age, including summer career camp

Costs: Free to legally blind clients

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 741 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029

Telephone: (213) 663-1111

Business Ownership Service System

Entrepreneur training program offered by Santa Ana College to laid-off or soon-to-be laid-off workers. The 10-week program provides technical assistance, business ownership training, marketing guidance and help in business plan creation.

Qualifications:

* Laid-off or soon-to-be laid-off workers

* High school graduates with reading skills at eighth-grade level or above

* Idea for a small business

Cost: Free to eligible candidates

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Telephone: (714) 564-5211 for appointment and reservation.

California Business Incubation Network

Nonprofit, statewide association advocates fostering the development of new business in California. Business incubators provide entrepreneurial services to small businesses during the start-up period with affordable space, shared support services and business development services such as financing, marketing and management.

Services offered by CBIN:

* Information clearinghouse

* Technical assistance with development and operations

* Seminars, conferences and workshops

* Speakers bureau

Cost: Free information packet; membership fees: $100 individual, $250 nonprofit and $500 corporate

Address: 101 W. Broadway, Suite 480, San Diego, CA 92101

Telephone: Sheila Washington at (619) 237-0559; (800) 427-4710 (California only)

Facility-based incubators in Southern California:

* Border Environmental Commerce Alliance, 477 Marina Parkway, Chula Vista, CA 91910, (619) 498-4960

* Business Innovation Center, 852 5th Ave., Suite 207, San Diego, CA 92101, (619) 685-2949

* Business and Industry Services Center, 901 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701-3920, (714) 564-5202

* Business Technology Center, 3601 Empire Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505, (818) 565-5635

* CalStart, 3601 Empire Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505, (818) 565-5600

* CHARO Enterprise Innovation Center, 3951 E. Medford St., Los Angeles, CA 90063, (213) 269-0751

* EC Square Annenberg Incubator Project, 746 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90089-7727, (213) 743-2344

* Inland Empire Business Incubator, 155 S. Memorial Drive, Suite B, San Bernardino, CA 92408, (909) 382-0065

* Lancaster Economic Development Corp., 104 E. Avenue K-4, Suite A, Lancaster, CA 93535, (805) 945-2741

* Pasadena Enterprise Center, 1015 N. Lake Ave., Suite 100, Pasadena, CA 91104, (626) 398-9974

* RBTIC (Ridgecrest Business Technology Incubator Center), 139 N. Balsam St., Ridgecrest, CA 93555, (619) 384-1118

* San Diego Technology Incubator, San Diego City College, 1313 12th Ave., San Diego, CA 92101, (619) 230-2081

* Vermont-Slauson Business Enterprise Center, 6109 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044, (213) 694-0026

California Conservation Corps

Hires young men and women to work for one year on a variety of environmental and community projects and to respond to emergencies such as forest fires, floods and earthquakes. Corps members learn job skills and gain work experience. Both residential and nonresidential positions are available.

Qualifications: Women and men between the ages of 18 and 23 who are California residents and not on probation or parole

Telephone: (800) 952-5627

California Council for Veterans Affairs

Services:

* Employment assistance

* Job listings

* Computer matching of applicant qualifications to employer needs

* Educational resource library

* Women’s shelter (veterans and nonveterans eligible)

Eligibility: Must be a veteran

Cost: Free

Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; counseling by appointment only, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Address: 8652 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044

Telephone: Contact Al Tatum, (213) 750-9967

California Registry of Professional Counselors

Service: Referrals to career and rehabilitation counselors

Cost: Referrals are free; variable fees for counseling

Address: 2555 E. Chapman Ave., Suite 201, Fullerton, CA 92831

Telephone: (714) 284-8857

California Small Business Development Centers

Counseling and training of small-business owners and prospective entrepreneurs.

Services:

* In-depth, one-on-one consulting

* Business planning and management assistance

* Marketing and technical assistance

* Business education and training

* Assistance with expansion into international marketplace

* Economic and business data

* Access to federal, state and local programs

Cost: Consultations are free (and confidential), but an appointment is required

Locations:

* Eastern Los Angeles County SBDC, 375 S. Main St., Suite 101, Pomona, CA 91766, (909) 629-2247

* Export SBDC of Southern California, 222 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 1690, El Segundo, CA 90245, (310) 606-0166

* Export SBDC El Monte/South El Monte Outreach Center, 10501 Valley Blvd., Suite 106, El Monte, CA 91731, (626) 459-4111 (open Tuesdays only)

* Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce SBDC, 4275 Executive Square, Suite 920, La Jolla, CA 92037, (619) 453-9388

* Inland Empire SBDC, 1157 Spruce St., Riverside, CA 92507, (909) 781-2345

* North Los Angeles County SBDC, 4717 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 201, Van Nuys, CA 91403, (818) 907-9922

* Orange County SBDC, 901 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701, (714) 647-1172

* Southwestern College Small Business Development and International Trade Center, 900 Otay Lakes Rd., Bldg. 1600, Chula Vista, CA 91910, (619) 482-6391

* Southwest Los Angeles County SBDC, 21221 Western Ave., Suite 110, Torrance, CA 90501, (310) 787-6466

* Westside SBDC, 3233 Donald Douglas Loop South, Suite C, Santa Monica, CA 90405, (310) 398-8883

* Accelerate Technology SBDC, 4199 Campus Drive, Suite 240, Irvine, CA 92612, (714) 509-2990

* South Central SBDC, 3650 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 246, Los Angeles, CA 90008, (213) 290-2832

* Glendale SBDC, 330 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91203, (818) 552-3321

Career Encores

Referral service for people 50 and older. Serves only Los Angeles County, networking with 50 other agencies countywide.

Services:

* Information on job training

* Job listings for employers and job seekers

* Job search assistance

Job clubs:

* 6180 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Suite 165, North Hollywood, CA 91606

* 3700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Orientation at 10 a.m. Fridays. Call before visit.

Cost: Free to eligible applicants and employers

Hotline hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Telephone hotlines:

* Los Angeles County only: (800) 833-6267

* Outside Los Angeles County: (213) 427-6600 Ext. 129

Career Equity Center Nontraditional Program

Education and apprenticeship preparation for women interested in pursuing a career as an apprenticed tradeswoman working in a nontraditional field. Program offers a stipend upon successful apprenticeship placement.

Requirements:

* 18 or older

* High school diploma or equivalent (GED)

Cost: Free

Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: Career Equity Center, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, 400 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015

Telephone: Tricia Johnson at (213) 744-9492

Career Planning Center

Private, nonprofit, community-based organization one-stop services.

Services:

* Job resource center with reference library and job listings

* Skills and resume assessments, counseling, and teaching of job-search skills, by appointment

* Outplacement services to employers, including on-site workshops

* On-the-job training, funded by the federal Job Training Partnership Act, for eligible applicants

Costs: Use of job resource center, library and job listings is free; fees vary for skills and resumeassessments, and career counseling.

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 1623 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035

Telephone: (310) 273-6633 for appointment

Chicana Service Action Center

Job Training Partnership Act-funded job-training and placement services for low-income people. Men and women of all nationalities may apply.

Services:

* Job training and placement

* Transportation

Requirements:

* The following documents are required of applicants: I.D. or driver’s license; Social Security, birth certificate, proof of residency or work permit; proof of income (from public assistance or employer); address verification; selective service registration (required only of men between 18 and 28 years of age)

* Must meet low-income requirements based on family size

Cost: Free to qualified applicants

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 134 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Telephone: (213) 253-5959

City of Los Angeles Employment Opportunities

Listing of current job openings with the city (not including police officers and firefighters), updated weekly. “Challenging Careers” brochure available upon request.

Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 700 E. Temple St., Room 100, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Web site: https://www.ci.la.ca.us/ dept/PER/index.html

Telephone: (213) 847-9240

Jobs hotline: (213) 847-9424. Call for 24-hour recorded message listing current openings.

City of Los Angeles One-Stop Workforce Development Centers

One-Stop Career Centers assist qualified adults (plant closures, layoffs, long-term unemployed, etc.) with job search, training and placement. Programs for youths and older persons are offered, and some services are available to the general public as well. The centers (formerly known as Comprehensive Jobs Assistance Centers) are sponsored by the city of Los Angeles Private Industry Council and Community Development Department.

Services:

* Counseling and assessment

* Workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, networking and economic survival

* Supportive services, such as stress and financial management, and if qualified, transportation and child-care assistance

* Remedial skills training

* Job training and placement

* Retraining opportunities, such as classroom, on-the-job and customized training

* Job resource centers, including job listings, telephones, faxes, copiers, computers and laser printers

* WorkLink computer network matching employers and job opportunities to job seekers

Downtown:

* Chicana Service Action One-Stop Center, 134 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 253-5959

* Chinatown Service Satellite Center, 767 N. Hill St., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 253-0880

Crenshaw and South Central:

* Watts Labor Community Action Committee One-Stop, 10950 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90059, (213) 563-5639

* United Auto Workers--Labor Employment Training Commission One-Stop, 3500 S. Figueroa St., Unit #201, Los Angeles, CA 90007, (213) 743-3950

* Community Centers Inc One-Stop, 7522 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044, (310) 538-4259

* Los Angeles Urban League One-Stop Workforce Development Center, 3450 Mount Vernon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90008, (213) 299-9660

* Los Angeles Urban Leauge One-Stop Workforce Development Center, 5414 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90043, (213) 292-8111

* NAACP Classroom Training, 4324 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016, (213) 735-8211

* St. Francis Medical Center Classroom Training, 3630 E. Imperial Highway, Lynwood, CA 90262, (310) 603-1829

Wilshire, Hollywood and West Los Angeles:

* Community Career Development One-Stop, 635 S. Harvard, Los Angeles, CA 90005, (213) 365-9829

* Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment One-Stop, 1541 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90017, (213) 353-1677

* Career Planning Center, 1623 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035, (310) 273-6633

* Palms-Mar Vista One-Stop, 11821 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064, (310) 477-8272

* Quality Business Systems Classroom Training, 3325 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90010, (213) 365-2320

* MCS Rehabilitation Satellite, 6381 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 250, Los Angeles, CA 90028, (213) 960-1300

* Advanced Computing Institute, 3470 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 11, Los Angeles, CA 90010, (213) 383-8999

* Career Encores Satellite (serves people 55 and older), 3700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90010, (800) 833-6267

East Los Angeles:

* United Community Resources Agency One-Stop, 1400 S. Goodrich Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90040, (213) 727-0409

* Charo Community Development Corp. One-Stop, 3951 E. Medford, Los Angeles, CA 90063 (213) 268-1100

* Jobs for Progress SER/ELA Classroom Training, 161 E. Pomona Blvd., Suite 106, Los Angeles, CA 90022, (213) 881-0588

* Mexican American Opportunities Foundation Classroom Training, 401 N. Garfield Ave., Montebello, CA 90640, (213) 890-9600

Valley:

* Valley One-Stop at Van Nuys, 14546 Hamlin St., Suite 305, Van Nuys, CA 91411, (818) 781-2522

* Canoga Park/West Hills One-Stop, 21515 Vanowen St., Suit 116, Canoga Park, 91303, (818) 884-2522

* El Proyecto Del Barrio Sun Valley One-Stop, 8902 Woodman Ave., Arleta, 91331, (818) 830-7133

* Verdugo Jobs Center: Glendale Satellite, 228 N. Orange St., Glendale, CA 91204, (818) 409-0477

* Verdugo Jobs Center: 706 W. Broadway, Suite 202, Glendale, CA 91204, (818) 409-0476

* Goodwill Industries Satellite, 342 San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA 90031, (213) 223-1211

* BUILD Rehabilitation Industries Satellite, 1323 Truman St., San Fernando, CA 91340, (818) 898-0020

* The Arbor Classroom Training, 106 N. Ave. 56, Highland Park, CA 90042, (213) 259-9778

* Career Encores Satellite (serving workers 55 and older), 6180 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Suite 165, North Hollywood, CA 91806, (800) 833-6267

Harbor and South Bay:

* City of Torrance with Carson/Lomita/Torrance PIC One-Stop, 1 Civic Plaza, Suite 500, Carson, CA 90745, (310) 518-8100

* City of Torrance with Wilmington Jaycees One-Stop, 1851 and 1891 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, CA 90731, (310) 514-1773

* Workforce Investment Network/South Bay PIC Satellite, 8929 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90045, (310) 665-0540

* Torrance One-Stop, 2355 Crenshaw Blvd., Suite 150, Torrance, CA 90501, (310) 782-3200

Web site: https://www.ci.la.ca.us/ dept/PIC- links to employment Web sites throughout the nation

Cost: Free

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Telephone: 800-FOR-A-JOB (for 310, 213 and 818 area codes only)

City of Los Angeles Personnel Department, Police and Fire Selection Division

Division of the city’s personnel department responsible for the hiring of police officers and firefighters.

Weekly testing for police officer positions:

* Wilshire Police Station, 4861 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.

* North Hollywood Police Station, 11480 Tiara St., Los Angeles, CA 90601, Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

* Police Academy, 1880 N. Academy Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Saturdays, 8 a.m.

People interested in becoming a firefighter should call (213) 847-LAFD to put in a firefighter notification card.

Special recruitment event:

LAPD Career Expo at the Police Academy. Displays of various LAPD specialized assignments, including helicopter air support, mounted unit, bomb squad, beach patrol, bike patrol, narcotics K-9, detectives and reserves. The written test for those interested in a career with the LAPD will be given at regular intervals. Location: LAPD Police Academy, Oct. 26, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cost: Free

Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. (telephone and walk-in)

Address: 700 E. Temple St., Room 150, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Web site: https://www.ci.la.ca.us/ dept/PER/index.html

Telephone: Police: (213) 847-LAPD; Fire: (213) 847-LAFD

Employment Development Department

State agency offering a variety of services to job seekers and employers.

Services:

* Job Match, a statewide computer network matching applicants and openings

* Job-search workshops

* Experience Unlimited job clubs geared toward professional, managerial and technical workers seeking jobs

* Referrals to training or educational facilities and social service agencies

* Unemployment and disability insurance

Cost: Free

Telephone: Look for nearest EDD Job Service office, listed under “California, State of” in the government listings section at the beginning of the telephone directory white pages.

Employment and Resource Network (E.A.R.N.)

Ventura County

One-Stop Career Centers

Offers training to adults who are long-term unemployed (14 weeks or more), laid-off, economically disadvantaged; older workers (55 years and older); and summer and year-round youth programs. Also assists in finding employment after completion of training.

Services to job seekers:

* Aptitude, basic skills and interest-inventory testing

* Referrals to vocational classroom training

* Job development

* Job-readiness and job-search workshops

* Basic reading and math skills

* Job placement and retention services

* Full-service employment resource center

* Supportive services, including child care, transportation

Services to employers:

* Matches job applicants with employers’ needs

* Offers facilities to employers, including fax machines, copiers, conference room, resource library

* Rapid response team assists employers facing plant closures

* Minority Business Development Center

* Human resource and personnel services (some services offered on a fee-for-service basis)

Costs: Free to those who qualify

Locations:

* Oxnard One-Stop, 635 S. Ventura Road, Oxnard, CA 93030, (805) 382-6500

* Simi Valley One-Stop, 980 Enchanted Way, Suite 105, Simi Valley, CA 93065, (805) 579-1732

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Employment Training Panel

A state agency that helps California businesses try to stay competitive, productive and profitable by assisting them in finding skilled workers. ETP contracts with employers, training agencies and private industry councils only. ETP does not provide training, but provides funding for programs in areas such as:

* Total quality management

* Statistical process control

* Office automation

* Production techniques

* Computer-assisted design

* Computer-assisted manufacturing

* Entrepreneurial training

* Welfare-To-Work Program with $20 million in funding available to employers who have recently hired welfare recipients

Reimbursement of training costs to employers are negotiated before training.

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: Charles Lundberg, Employment Training Panel, 1100 J St., 4th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814

Telephone: (916) 327-5261

Forty Plus

A nonprofit, self-help employment service for job seekers with seasoned professional, technical or executive experience.

Services:

* Instruction in computer skills, resume preparation, interview and networking techniques

* Job listings

* Research library

* Free orientation seminar

Cost: Entrance fee, monthly dues and charges for computer time and telephone service

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 3450 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 510, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Telephone: (213) 388-2301

Goodwill Industries of Southern California

Nonprofit organization helps people with barriers to employment (disabilities, social disadvantages) to reach vocational potentials. Clients may also include those with limited work skills, little or no work history, no permanent shelter, poor self-esteem and self-confidence, a history of substance abuse or incarceration.

Services:

* Work evaluation and work adjustment training

* Occupational skill training and placement, including on-the-job training. Skills training includes computer and clerical, truck and forklift, janitorial and food service.

* Job coaches

* Job club

* Career Evaluation Center offers specialized testing and vocational counseling for disabled and at-risk youth.

* Goodwill Temporary Services job placement service, 235 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 625-7194

Eligibility: Applicants must meet certain requirements for some programs

Costs: Free

Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 342 San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Telephone: (213) 223-1211

JVS (Jewish Vocational Service)

Nonprofit, nonsectarian service organization offering job search and career counseling services.

Services:

* Skills assessment, job-search, resume and interviewing workshops

* Job club support group geared to professionals

* Job listings

* Research library

* Career testing and counseling

* Job placement services for the disabled

* Career Focus: a six-session workshop for people interested in exploring a career change

* SAGE: workshop and support group for people 55 years and older

* Free employment service for the city of West Hollywood

* Entertainment Networking Group: geared to people either in or seeking to enter the entertainment industry

Cost: Call for costs of various programs.

Hours: For more information, call 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Thur.; 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Fri.

Locations:

* 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Second Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90048, (213) 761-8888 Ext. 106

* 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills, CA 91307, (818) 587-3222 (closed Fridays)

* West Hollywood City Hall, 8300 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (213) 761-8888 Ext. 131

Jobs for Progress

A Job Training Partnership Act-funded employment and training agency.

Services:

* Job training in clerical and general office occupations

* Job preparation, placement and counseling

* Aptitude and interest assessment

* WordPerfect 6.0 training

* Computer-assisted instruction in basic English and math

* Support services, including transportation and child-care allowances

* On-the-job training (West Covina location only)

Cost: Free

Hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Mon.-Fri. (training hours); 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon-Fri. (office hours)

Locations:

* 5161 E. Pomona Blvd., Suite 106, Los Angeles, CA 90022, (213) 881-0588

* 1323 West Covina Parkway, Suite E, West Covina, CA 91790, (818) 960-0806

Job Starts

Nonprofit, privately funded organization assisting individuals and families in South-Central Los Angeles to achieve economic stability through work.

Services:

* Employment readiness workshops

* Job placements, including 90-day follow-ups

Cost: Free

Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 3010 W. 48th St., Los Angeles, CA 90043

Telephone: Call (213) 291-2812 for appointment

Los Angeles County JTPA Hotline

Job Training Partnership Act service delivery areas provide a variety of employment and training programs and services designed for the economically disadvantaged, including programs for adults, youths, older workers (55 or older) and dislocated workers (those who have been laid off or are scheduled to be laid off). The Los Angeles County JTPA Hotline directs eligible applicants to service providers within their areas.

Types of Training:

* Classroom training designed to provide job-related and technical skills for specific jobs such as bank teller, accounting, clerical and health-care occupations

* On-the-job training with employers

* Work experience paying minimum wage for adults and youths at governmental or nonprofit work sites

Costs: Free to eligible applicants

Address: County of Los Angeles, Department of Community and Senior Services, 3175 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90020

Hotline: (213) 738-2598; (800) 204-6444

Los Angeles County One-Stop Career Centers

Offers training to adults who are long-term unemployed (14 weeks or more), laid off, economically disadvantaged; older workers (55 years and older); out-of-school youths (18-22 years old). Also assists in finding employment after completion of training.

Services:

* Aptitude, basic skills and interest-inventory testing

* Referrals to vocational classroom training

* Job development

* Job readiness workshops

* Basic reading and math skills

* Job placement and retention services

Costs: Free to qualified applicants

Locations:

* East Los Angeles One-Stop Career Center, 215 W. Pomona Blvd., Suite 300, Monterey Park, CA 91754, (213) 887-7122

* Mission College One-Stop Career Center, 13356 Eldridge Ave., Sylmar, CA 91342, (818) 837-2236

* South-Central One-Stop Career Center, 2930 W. Imperial Highway, Suite 515, Inglewood, CA 90303, (213) 779-2199

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

L.A. County Regional Occupational Program

Students learn entry-level skills in a wide variety of occupational fields, including animal care, banking, nursing, food service, retail sales and electronics. Programs are offered in business, marketing, health, trade and industry, home economics and agriculture.

Services:

* Classroom instruction

* Paid and unpaid, on-the-job training

* Resume writing

* Job networking techniques

* Career counseling

Eligibility: Applicants must be at least age 16

Cost: Free to high school students; adults are asked to pay a $20 registration fee and a $20 materials fee (minimum)

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. (office hours; classes offered day and night)

Telephone: (562) 922-6850

L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center

Endeavors to support the well-being of lesbians and gay men by providing essential services and sponsoring community activities.

Services:

* Employment and training services for job seekers and employers, including job postings. Call (213) 993-7480

* Free legal advice to those in need. Call (213) 993-7670

Cost: Free

Address: 1625 N. Schrader Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028

LA Works

Career center providing job training and placement services.

Services:

* Orientation and assessment to qualify for JTPA assistance

* Career counseling

* Vocational training

* Job clubs

* Job placement

* Small business start-up programs

* Human resources and consulting services to businesses

* Community services ranging from home improvement and energy conservation to transportation for the elderly and physically disabled

* Online information centers

* Access to telephones, faxes, copiers and computers

Eligibility: Some programs have eligibility requirements.

Cost: Free to applicants who qualify for JTPA assistance; nominal fees for others

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 5200 Irwindale Ave., Irwindale, CA 91706

Web site: https://www.laworks.org

Telephone: (626) 960-3964

Los Angeles Trade-Technical College

A specialized institution, offering college-level career programs in trade, technical and business pursuits as well as offering general education courses. Offers transfer curriculum that includes general education requirements and preparation for major requirements for transfer to four-year college institutions.

Services:

* Career/Equity Center

* Continuing Education and Community Services Center

* Financial Aid

* Student Employment Center

* Counseling Center

* Transfer Center

* Disabled students programs and services

* Tutoring

Noteworthy programs:

* Accounting

* Automotive mechanics techology

* Chemical technology

* Computer information systems

* Electrical construction maintainance

* ESL

* Fashion design

* Machine shop CNC

* Registered nursing

* Refrigeration/air conditioning mechanics

* Visual communications (graphic arts)

* PACE program offering evening and Saturday classes for full-time working adults

Eligibility: Anyone 18 years or older qualifies for admission; those under 18 may qualify if certain requirements are met.

Cost: $13 per unit per semester; enrollment fee waiver assistance is available

Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Mon.-Thur.; 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Fri. and Sat.

Address: 400 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015-4181

Telephone: (213) 744-9058

Los Angeles Urban League

Seeks to secure social and economic opportunities for African Americans and other minorities through a variety of programs, including counseling, training, placement and community development.

Services:

* Employment Services Department assists job-ready applicants who are professional, skilled or semi-skilled and seeking employment or a career change. Applicants are served through counseling, workshops and a job bank.

* Ron Brown Information Technology Center offers courses in computer programming, computer operations and automated office procedures.

* Pomona Valley TEC conducts specialized vocational training in electronics, machine-tool technology, word processing and data entry. Displaced workers program.

* Milken Family Literacy & Youth Training Center provides instruction in reading, writing, math and problem solving to assist youth and their families in developing skills to compete for employment.

* Pasadena-Foothill branch offers career counseling and job placement.

* Automotive Training Center

* Ron Brown Business Development Center

Cost: Free

Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Headquarters address: 3450 Mount Vernon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90008; call for addresses of other locations

Web site: https://www.career

mosaic.com:80/cm/ul/

Telephone: (213) 299-9660

Mexican American Opportunity Foundation Services:

* Job listings

* Computer training

* Work experience for preschool teachers’ aides

* Basic skills training in reading comprehension and math

* School-to-Career program prepares youths (both in school and out) for the job market and offers vocational training customized to employers needs

* Child care, (213) 890-9616

* ESL citizenship and literacy classes

Cost: Free

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 401 N. Garfield Ave., Montebello, CA 90640

Telephone: (213) 890-9600

National Board for Certified Counselors

National certification organization making consumer referrals to nationally certified career counselors.

Service: Provides a list of certified counselors by state

Cost: Referrals are free

Address: 3 Terrace Way, Suite D, Greensboro, NC 27403

Hours: 5:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (California time), Mon.-Fri.

Telephone: (910) 547-0607; fax (910) 547-0017 (to request a list of nationally certified career counselors in your area)

Application for certification: (800) 398-5389

Orange County One-Stop Career Centers

Services:

* Aptitude, basic skills and interest-inventory testing

* Referrals to vocational classroom training

* Job development

* Job readiness workshops

* Basic reading and math skills

* Job placement and retention services

Costs: Free to qualified applicants

Locations:

* Anaheim: 50 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 300, Anaheim, CA 92805, (714) 254-4350

* Coastal: 2627 Vista Del Oro, Newport Beach, CA 92660, (714) 718-1200

* County: 1300 S. Grand, Building B, Third Floor, Santa Ana, CA 92705, (714) 567-7542

* Garden Grove: 11277 Garden Grove Blvd., Suite C, Garden Grove, CA 92840, (714) 741-5020

* La Habra: 1811 W. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631, (562) 905-7076

* Misson Viejo: 23456 Madero, Suite 150, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, (714) 707-2172

* Santa Ana: 1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92701, (714) 565-2600

Hours: Hours and days vary depending on location.

PACE One-Stop Workforce Development Center

Services:

* Job Training Partnership Act programs provide job training for a variety of positions for low-income residents of Los Angeles County; programs include voucher training and on-the-job training

* Dislocated, long-term unemployed and laid-off workers program

* County refugee job placement program

* Youth employment program

* Counseling and referrals

Cost: Free to participants and employers

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 1541 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Telephone: (213) 353-1677

Pasadena Senior Center

Employment services program for people 50 and older.

Services:

* Job search assistance and referrals

* Workshops

* Assistance in defining employment objectives and goals

* Reference materials

* Federal program offering on-the-job training and job placement for low- and no-income people 55 and older

* Motivational and stress-management seminars

* Center for successful retirement

Cost: Donation requested for employment services and pre-retirement seminar

Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. for job listings

Address: 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena, CA 91103

Telephone: (626) 795-4331. Call for appointment before first visit.

Portals Mental Health Rehabilitation Services

Employment services and vocational training for adults with psychiatric disabilities.

Services:

* Job training and placement

* Resume writing and interview skills training

* Job coaching, follow-up services and vocational pre-employment training.

Locations:

* Mariposa Clubhouse, 269 S. Mariposa Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004, (213) 381-8400

* Community Connections Clubhouse, 3881 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062, (213) 299-7525

Santa Monica Jobs Assistance Programs:

* Santa Monica Youth Employment offers subsidized employment training and work experience for disadvantaged youths 14 to 21 years old. (310) 829-5451

* Santa Monica High School Regional Occupation Program offers high school students and adults job-skills training, placement and career assessment. (310) 395-3204

* Santa Monica Board of Education Workability Program for high school students with special needs. (310) 450-8338

* Virginia Avenue Park Jobs Program offers employment workshops and job counseling for youths and adults. (310) 458-8688

* Chrysalis Santa Monica assists homeless or low-income people (in Santa Monica only) to prepare for and find jobs. (310) 392-4117

Cost: Free

SCORE

The Service Corps of Retired Executives is a nonprofit organization sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Volunteers share their business experience with people who plan to go into business and those already in business who need advice.

Services:

* Counseling in areas such as business planning, advertising, accounting, inventory control, cash and credit management, marketing, financial and licensing requirements

* Several all-day workshops on such topics as starting and operating a new business, getting financing and advertising for your business

* Monthly seminars on various topics

* Monthly calendar of workshops and seminars mailed upon request

Cost: One-on-one counseling is free; seminars and workshops at nominal fees

Call for locations of counseling centers in Southern California:

* Los Angeles County: (818) 552-3206

* Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties: (714) 550-7369

* San Diego and Imperial counties: (619) 557-7272

Second Careers

A nonprofit project of the Volunteer Center of Los Angeles serving mostly people 40 and older.

Services:

* Permanent and temporary job placement (primarily office-related opportunities, including clerical, secretarial, word processing, customer service, telemarketing and accounting)

* Resource Center including library, faxes, phones, job postings

* Computer tutorials for software

* Retirement-planning counseling for corporations

Cost: Free to job seekers; modest fees for employers

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 3530 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1350, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Telephone: (213) 380-3166

Southern California Indian Center

Nonprofit organization serving the American Indian community of Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties. As a Job Training Partnership Act agency, it provides employment assistance and vocational training to American Indians, native Alaskans and native Hawaiians who are unemployed, underemployed or economically disadvantaged.

Services:

* Yearly job fairs

* Pre-employment training

* Resume and job application preparation

* Job search techniques

* Job listings and referrals

* Classroom vocational training

* On-the-job training

* Educational workshops for parents

Cost: Free

Hours: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Locations: Garden Grove, Commerce, Los Angeles and Riverside; satellite location in El Monte

Telephone:

* Los Angeles County: (213) 387-5772

* Orange County: (714) 663-1102

* Riverside: (909) 682-8684

Spotlight on Jobs

Offers unemployed residents of Los Angeles County an opportunity for job training and placement within the entertainment industry and companies that support the industry. The service specializes in clerical, secretarial and administrative occupations.

Services:

* Job search techniques and direct placement

* On-the-job training

* Self-paced skills lab offering computer skills enhancement

Costs: Free to employers and job seekers

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Telephone: Call (213) 368-1468 for information package.

TTI Career Training Center

National organization dedicated to meeting the needs of dislocated workers and the economically disadvantaged.

Services:

* Re-employment workshops

* Motivational seminars

* Career counseling

* Vocational assessment

* Money-management courses

* Computerized learning lab

* Job placement

* Resume preparation

* Referrals to classroom training

Cost: No charge to qualified applicants

Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 14515 Hamlin, Van Nuys, CA 91401

Telephone: (818) 781-2522

UAW-Labor Employment Training Corp.

A private, nonprofit corporation that provides human resource services to employers, employees and others.

Services:

* Job search and placement

* Classroom training in basic skills and office automation/word processing

* On-the-job training

* Human resource management, development and support

* Customized training

Cost: Free to eligible employers, employees and other applicants

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Address: 790 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90806 (corporate office), 12 field offices in Southern California

Telephone: (213) 562-6100

UCI Extension Women’s Opportunities Center

Career development center. Open to men and women in the community.

Services:

* One-on-one career counseling

* Workshops

* Resume counseling

* Weekly job-search support groups run by Orange County executives

* Career-education resource library

* Job listings

* Discounts to specified UCI Extension courses

* Career and vocational aptitude testing

* Job search Internet access

Cost: $60 annual membership fee; additional fees for workshops and career/vocational aptitude testing.

Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Mon.-Thur.; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Fri.; 9 a.m.-noon, Sat.

Address: The center is at the UCI Extension complex on the UC Irvine campus.

Web site:

https://www.unex.uci.

edu/~unex/woc

Telephone: (714) 824-7128

UCLA Extension

UCLA Extension offers more than 80 certificated programs to help job seekers become more marketable.

Topics include:

* Business and management

* Computers and information systems

* Entertainment studies

* Graphic design

* Hospitality and food service

* Interior and environmental design

* International business

* Journalism, public relations and fund-raising

* Landscape architecture

* Legal interpretation and translation

* Personal financial planning

* Screenwriting

* Arts

* Education

* Fitness

* Outdoor recreation

* Humanties

New offerings in emerging technologies:

* Client-server networks and object-oriented programming

* Computer graphics, emphasizing interactive, multimedia design

* Entertainment studies courses in multimedia and digital technologies

* Writing for interactive media

* Online course

* Writer’s program

Cost: Varies

Address: UCLA Extension, 10995 LeConte Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024

Web site:

https://www.unex.ucla.edu

Telephone: (800) 554-UCLA (catalog requests); (310) 825-9971 or (818) 784-7006 (for registration)

Venice/Oakwood Jobs Programs

Programs:

* The Job Bank, a Santa Monica/Venice-based employment service, offering workshops on resume writing and job search techniques, skills training opportunities, monthly bulletin for employers listing jobs for local workers. (310) 822-8687

* St. Joseph Center Restaurant Training Program. Regular classes in food service, with certification and jobs placement assistance. (310) 450-9095

* Venice Community Housing Corp. develops affordable housing and offers construction jobs training program for at-risk youth. 318 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 225, Venice, CA 90291 (310) 399-4100

* Venice Skills Center offers job-training and job-placement assistance. Contact Cynthia Moore at (310) 392-4153, Ext. 108. Fees range from free to $35, plus nominal material fees.

Cost: Free, except where noted

Verdugo Jobs Center

JTPA-funded jobs center providing resources to eligible displaced workers and employers to bring the two together.

Services:

* Job postings

* Vocational assessment

* Retraining assistance

* Job search counseling

* Computer access to statewide job listings

* Professionally prepared resumes and correspondence

* Newsletter with client advertising

* Stress management and counseling for anxiety, anger, discouragement and other emotional issues of unemployment for clients and their families

* General job search assistance

Cost: Free to qualified clients

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Thur.

Address: 706 W. Broadway, Suite 202, Glendale, CA 91204

Telephone: (818) 409-0476

Women at Work

Nonprofit organization focusing on career concerns of women, but men are welcome.

Services:

* Drop-in resource room featuring a library and job listings

* Counseling, testing and resume writing

* Specially funded programs for single parents, displaced homemakers, Latina professionals with limited English and laid-off workers

* Evening workshops on career planning, resume writing, interview techniques, networking and job hunting after age 50

* Information dissemination and counseling on nontraditional job opportunities for women (trade and tech)

Costs: Drop-in resource room, suggested donation $2; counseling and resume writing, $55; occupational testing, including counseling, $110; evening workshops, range from free to $20

Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon., Tue. and Thur.; 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Wed.

Address: 50 N. Hill Ave., Suite 300, Pasadena, CA 91106

Telephone: (626) 796-6870

Women Helping Women Services

A nonsectarian community service agency sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles.

Services:

* Job-hunting support group

* Talkline (telephone counseling service and training to become a volunteer counselor)

* Community referrals for networking and education

* Job postings

* Low-fee psychological counseling for job seekers

Cost: Low fees based on sliding scale and individual income; Talkline, free