DeLauro Highlights Importance of Career Centers for Job Hunters

Visits CT Works Career Center in New Haven to learn about program, advocate for funding

New Haven, CT –Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) visited the CT Works Career Center in New Haven today. Congresswoman DeLauro toured the facility, observed workshops, and spoke with Bill Villano, Executive Director of the Workforce Alliance, and individuals searching for jobs.

CTWorks Career Centers are a One Stop resource for education, training, and employment opportunities, and its services are offered at no cost. Job hunters can use the computer lab to search for employment and print resumes, attend workshops to develop their skills, get career counseling, and work on job development. Congresswoman DeLauro observed two workshops during her visit, a class on retaining jobs and a preparatory test for those interested in entering the healthcare fields.

“We need to stand by job development programs like the Connecticut Works Career Center, particularly in the face of this economy, as part of a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to put America back to work. At a time when jobs are harder to find than ever, we need efficient and highly useful services to help citizens to get back on their feet. But the new Republican majority in the House has other ideas— they want to roll federal spending levels back to 2006 levels. This would be disastrous for American families, and particularly those with members looking to find work.

“Great job training and job development programs like those here at Connecticut Works would be seriously compromised by this Republican rollback. Programs like the Workforce Investment Act supports job programs all across the country with proven results and have seen dramatic increases in participation. But these vital programs are in real danger under the Republican budget. Their proposal to cut non-discretionary defense spending by 42% across the board, including education, medical research, and veterans’ health care, will hurt American workers and families in all kinds of ways.

“Now is not the time to be cutting back on the help so many Americans desperately need—we should be supporting programs like Connecticut Works with the job training and development programs that help lead us to recovery. I will fight to ensure that critical assistance such as Connecticut Works remain available to struggling American families, and against the misplaced Republican priorities that put special interests over our workers.”