The Idaho Department of Labor and public libraries throughout the state are collaborating to assist workers in identifying their future career paths.
Beginning this fall, the libraries will receive a year’s subscription to the department’s Career Information System at no cost. The Idaho Career Information System is a comprehensive computerized system for career development that helps people explore career opportunities, identify schools or sources of education and training for specific jobs and then make successful decisions about future careers or education.
The Idaho Career information System is the only source of Idaho-specific information on jobs and training. It is widely used in all 25 Idaho Department of Labor local offices statewide.
“The collaborative effort with the Idaho Commission for Libraries and the more than 100 public libraries around the state will expand access to this resource even further,” System Administrator Christie Stoll said.
The department, which has been able to provide the service because of resources received through the federal economic stimulus package, is providing access to the system to library personnel this month so they can assess its value. Staff at participating libraries will be trained in September on the use of both the Career Information System and the department’s primary Internet work force development site – IdahoWorks.
IdahoWorks, which is already available free through any computer terminal including those at all libraries, is the department’s online service for both employers and workers. Job seekers can create and update résumés and profiles, find jobs, check eligibility for unemployment benefits, file benefit claims and review benefit payment. Employers can list jobs, manage those listings, review candidates and screen applicant résumés.
“I’m sure that in some communities this collaboration will result in the development of ongoing work force services or resources that go beyond access to these valuable electronic services,” State Librarian Ann Joslin said.
More information on the Career Information System is available from Christie Stoll at cstoll@cis.idaho.gov or (208) 334-3705. IdahoWorks is available at http://labor.idaho.gov/iw