News release, Aug. 26, 2004A

August 26, 2004 .......................................................................... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Georgia Department of Labor dedicates new career center in Valdosta
VALDOSTA State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and Valdosta Mayor John J. Fretti officially dedicated a new state-of-the-art Georgia Department of Labor Valdosta Career Center today. This facility is unique in that all of the workforce-related services that might be needed by employers and job seekers in the Valdosta area can now be found in one central location.
The dedication came during an open house hosted by the City of Valdosta, the Georgia Department of Labor's Valdosta Career Center, and the South Georgia Employer Committee.
"In today's competitive work environment, the demand for a skilled labor force is tremendous," said Mayor Fretti. "This state-of-the-art career center is a wonderful asset to our community, providing job seekers the knowledge and experience necessary to earn a decent wage and employers better trained employees."
For the first time ever, the labor department now provides, in one facility, all employmentrelated services, unemployment insurance benefits, unemployment insurance taxes, and services to persons with disabilities. In June, the labor department closed its three former offices located at 2808 North Oak St., 2910 North Ashley St., and 2809 North Ashley St. in order to consolidate services. The new facility is located at 221 South Ashley St. The telephone number is (229) 3335211.
"Our new career center in Valdosta is reflective of a transformation that is underway at the Georgia Department of Labor," said Commissioner Thurmond. "In fact, a unique feature of the new Valdosta Career Center is that, for the first time ever, all of our workforce partners will be under one roof. The changes that are coming to the Valdosta area and other parts of the state are bringing with them improved customer service through the use of modern technology and greater emphasis on employment and training services. Across the state, we are working more closely with our workforce development partners to provide a competitive edge and better opportunity to Georgia's employers and employees alike."
Workforce Investment Area (WIA) partners housed in the Valdosta Career Center include: Onthe-Job Training, Youth Employment Program, Older Worker Program, General Educational Development (GED) classes, and Telamon, a provider of services to seasonal and migrant farm workers.
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VALDOSTA OPEN HOUSE LAST ADD
Career Center Manager Susan Dukes added that, "With this new facility, we can now better serve our ever-changing workforce in the Valdosta area. This new facility is essentially a onestop center where our customers can more easily get the help they need in a professional and comfortable environment."
Also, the new career center will offer a full range of services to employers seeking to recruit and conduct on-site interviews. Office space, telephones, copiers, and faxes will be made available in the newly designed business center. Training rooms and classrooms will be available for both inhouse and community use.
The career center provides job seekers and employers with a wealth of new information and resource services, modern technology, and a customer-focused, state-of-the-art business environment. The Georgia Department of Labor has enhanced its services to customers with the development of a new and improved web site. The on-line resource gives information on the various services and programs operated by the labor department and other Georgia workforce partners. Additionally, the web site helps equip workers and new entrants into the job market with the tools and information needed to evaluate career options, prepare for work, and find the right job. It also provides employers with an abundance of workforce-related information. The site may be accessed at www.dol.state.ga.us.
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CY-04-580