(Wethersfield, CT) – In recognition of Career Development Month, proclaimed today by Governor Ned Lamont, the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) is highlighting the many career and employment services available at the agency and through its workforce partners. The Connecticut Department of Labor has a wide variety of online and in-person resources to assist job seekers at every career level. Assistance is free and open to the public.
CTDOL Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo said, “This is a job seeker’s market and a great time to jump into a new career. With job search strategies, skill building workshops, and many other programs and services, CTDOL can help you find a great job and move up in your career. Right now, Connecticut employers are hiring across all industry sectors and creating opportunity for workers in every field.”
AMERICAN JOB CENTERS & CTHIRES
There are 19 American Job Centers throughout Connecticut that provide a combination of in-person and virtual services for job seekers, as well as recruitment and training assistance for employers. Last year, CTDOL American Job Centers provided more than 80,000 services including job search strategies for workers looking for employment; training workshops to help workers improve their skills; and individualized career assistance for military veterans transitioning to civilian life.
CTDOL Deputy Director Mark Polzella said, “Career development begins at the American Job Centers with opportunities to find and land the job you want in a career you like. We’ve seen so many success stories with clients getting higher paying jobs, being promoted within their companies, or even establishing new careers after working with American Job Centers. For some clients, a few meetings might help them take their interview skills to the next level, others find training programs that will move them through their careers and offer more stability and a better paycheck. Now is the time to contact your local AJC and get started.”
CTHires, the state’s job bank, is a comprehensive platform that allows registered job seekers to search for jobs by industry, location, salary, and other categories. Registered users can also have job notifications sent directly to their inbox to keep track of new jobs that are posted. Additionally, CTHires has career tools to help workers analyze their skills, identify any gaps, and make recommendations for training programs to help employees develop throughout their careers.
American Job Center assistance is always free and open to the public and employers. Registration and employer recruitment through CTHires is also free and open to the public. Job seekers should beware of employers who require fees for applications or training. Vetted employer recruitment events are posted on the CTDOL job fair page and on CTHires.
APPRENTICESHIPS
The CTDOL Office of Apprenticeship Training is the state’s only federally authorized entity for apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeship Training has nearly 1,800 active employers and 6,700 apprentices currently enrolled in Registered Apprenticeships across all industry sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, trades, software development, landscaping, and others. Depending upon the occupational market, apprenticeships may take 1-4 years to complete, at the end of which the apprentice is certified and ready to take any licensing exams.
CTDOL Director of the Office of Apprenticeship Training Todd Berch said, “Apprentices earn while they learn—they are on the job even when they are in the classroom, and that gives them both hands on and theoretical knowledge about their craft. Apprenticeships provide an incredible opportunity for students breaking into careers and for employers who are training the workforce for the jobs they have available now and in the future.”
The Connecticut Department of Labor recommends following @CTHires on social media for the latest job postings and recruitment events.
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Federal funding supports many CTDOL programs in whole or in part. For a complete list of projects and funding, visit our website.