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Healthcare career center opens at LaGuardia CC

During these difficult economic times, jobs are scarce and unemployment is high.

However, with the opening of the Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center at LaGuardia Community College, New Yorkers can take advantage of advanced training and ample employment opportunities within the healthcare division.

Last month, Commissioner Robert W. Walsh of the city’s Department of Small Business Services, Executive Director Veronica M. White of the Center for Economic Opportunities and LaGuardia Community College’s President Dr. Gail Mellow helped open the new Center.

“The Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center is building on the success of the city’s existing Workforce 1 Career Centers and focusing on an industry that is clearly growing with opportunities for higher paying jobs for New Yorkers,” said Walsh.

Located at 30-20 Thomson Avenue on LaGuardia Community College’s campus, the Center’s main purpose is to provide job training and placement in healthcare. Training will focus on attaining more promising careers and higher paying jobs in professions such as patient care technicians, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses, including other health-related occupations. According to Mellow, there will also be a “Welcome Back Center,” which will offer services to assist internationally-trained healthcare workers to re-enter health careers in New York City.

LaGuardia Community College, in alliance with the Workforce 1 Healthcare Career Center, will offer eight stimulus-funded classes concerning a range of healthcare occupations. Plans call for more than 200 individuals to enroll in these classes. SBS’ knowledgeable NYC Business Solutions Healthcare Unit will also provide services for recruitment and training to healthcare companies at the Center. LaGuardia Community College and SBS will be operate the center together.

“In response to New York City’s growing demand for healthcare industry workers, LaGuardia Community College is pleased to partner with the New York City Department of Small Business Services in the development of the Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center,” said Mellow.

The Center’s three-year budget is $8.4 million. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is funding the Center with $2.5 million, while $5 million is being provided by Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds. The Center for Economic Opportunity is also funding $900,000.

Besides training in healthcare, the Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center will also offer free services available in New York City’s Workforce1 Career Centers that extend across the five boroughs. These services include career counseling, advice on job interviews, help with creating resumes and cover letters, and career workshops.

In order to find the nearest Workforce1 Career Center, call 3-1-1.