Prior to its closure in 2013, the Alliance Worknet operated a Career Resource Center in Turlock where annually nearly 3,000 customers were able to receive assistance conducting job search activities. In the four years since the center closed its doors, Turlock residents have had to travel out of town to receive such services – until now. In collaboration with the City of Turlock, Alliance Worknet is expected to open the doors of a new Career Resource Center in early 2018, offering employment services free of charge to the community.

The original Career Resource Center, located on Broadway Avenue, was closed in 2013 following the reorganization of unemployment insurance services. Alliance Worknet’s new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act now requires “one-stop” career resource centers to be established again, and in Turlock there was an overwhelming need for such services.

From July 2015 to June 2016, approximately 550 individuals with Turlock zip codes made visits to other one-stop career resource centers in Modesto, Patterson and Oakdale, showing the needed service demand of Turlock residents and supporting the decision to open another site in Turlock.

Currently, Alliance Worknet offers limited services in Turlock at the Community Services Agency building on Lander Avenue. The two-story design of the building, however, does not allow for a one-stop career resource center to operate. When the building’s lease expires in December, both organizations will move to a new location — 301. S. Soderquist Rd.

“This one-stop center with both departments will provide much-needed services to the Turlock community,” said Doris Foster, Alliance Worknet director. “(The new location) is ideal for our customers in that it has close proximity to bus routes and accessible parking for staff and customers.”

The City of Turlock assisted Alliance Worknet in finding the new center’s location, which is in the West Main Market Place along with Grocery Outlet, Dollar Tree and Planet Fitness.

At the new Career Resource Center, the public will have access to the internet to conduct job search activities and access CalJOBS, where they can post resumes and search for employment opportunities. Along with computers, fax machines and copiers may be used for job search activities as well, and the public will also have access to typing tests and other occupational testing, resume preparation tools, recruitment announcements, workshop registration and labor market information.

According to Foster, Alliance Worknet anticipates hiring one additional staff member for the Career Resource Center, and all other employees will move over to the new location with their respective positions. Construction on the center is slated to begin this summer, and the Career Resource Center is expected to be open to the public in early 2018.