Oskaloosa Iowa Workforce Office Scheduled To Close
Iowa Workforce Office in Oskaloosa is scheduled to be closed by December 31, 2011 (photo D.Hubbard)
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Since the beginning of the year, there has been talk of Oskaloosa’s Workforce office being slated to close. Iowa’s Workforce Development office is implementing that plan.
They will be offering a “revised workforce delivery system based on the new model of Local Access Points and Regional Integrated Centers. Multiple factors require Iowa to develop a new workforce system that is sustainable for the long term,” stated director Teresa Wahlert. “By ensuring that more Iowans have an opportunity for services in their own communities, we can provide services faster and more efficiently to more Iowans on a timely basis.”
Iowa’s current system has 55 field offices. The new, enhanced system will provide 16 regional integrated one-stop offices in Burlington, Carroll, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Creston, Davenport, Decorah, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Spencer and Waterloo. Additionally, there will be three satellite locations in Fort Madison, Iowa City and Webster City, and hundreds of locally enhanced access points through armories, private colleges, community action agencies, community colleges, County Veterans Affairs Offices, courthouses, public libraries and others. Currently, more than 60 access point locations are operational with over 190 workstations. This enhanced system will have greater availability to the public with evening and weekend hours, something not available in the current delivery model. Additionally, IWD will continue to enhance technology based services throughout the new system for the benefit of all clients. The workforce system will transition throughout late 2011 in two phases to ensure a process that meets the needs of training and set-up for each locally enhanced access point.
Oskaloosa and Pella will face closure by December 31st of this year.
When asked about the closure, local residents had this to say.
Steffi Gursky spoke about her usage of the local office, and how it will impact her. “I typically go to iowajobs.org to apply and look for jobs. I haven’t been in the actual office for years.”
Shea Barber commented about the closure “Don’t get me wrong it sucks that they’re closing but I do like the idea of state workforce employees having to go thru the hassle of collecting unemployment. lol Now ya know how it feels!”
Others are thankful for the help they have received there over time, “They not only help you find a job, they helped me find the funding to go back to school to get my A.A.S. degree. THANKS ANNE!!!!”
The Department expects the transition will be completed by December 31, 2011 and will affect 70-95 employees across the state.
Iowa Workforce Development and partners, provide comprehensive workforce services within the integrated IowaWORKS offices. 24/7 access to employment services, unemployment filings, job postings and more is available at www.iowaworkforce.org.
