Charlotte K. Berger

cberger@thecherawchronicle.com

CHERAW - For most of us, learning how to make a life for ourselves in this world is not always an easy task. However, agencies such as the One Stop Workforce Center located in the Robert Smalls Family Center; helps make that dream come true for many adults and youth.

On Mar. 18, the EOC in conjunction with the One Stop, located at 318-322 Front Street, held its Cheraw Community Quarterly Roundtable meeting to discuss the various ways to improve, implement, as well as teach the life-learning skills that are necessary for one to become a success today's workforce. Three valuable topics were on the list of priorities such as employment, recreation and the "Youth Summit 2008."

"This is the purpose of the One Stop. We are here to help adults and youth find employment so that they can better themselves and have a better life," said Catherine Thompson, Business Services Representative for Chesterfield-Darlington Counties.

"The purpose of the One Stop Workforce Center is to provide theses types of services to those who want to earn a special trade, and to teach people the proper way of seeking quality employment," she continued.

"Not only do these type of services help people have a better life, they will also feel a sense of worthiness," said Thompson.

The services of the One Stop Workforce Centers are geared towards adults and youth, reaching a level of self-sufficiency through employment and training services.

In a recent Youth Employment Focus meeting, it was concluded that Chesterfield-Marlboro EOC Inc., provides services also in the areas of Energy assistance, Child Services, Child Care, Child Development and Weatherization.

The South Carolina Employment Security Commission provides Employment and Training Services, Unemployment services and administers WIA programs in Chesterfield County. Services are also available to youth ages 16-21 in Chesterfield and Marlboro counties through the Hiteck Program.

In a recent observation report, the current unemployment rate for Chesterfield County is 8.4 percent, and Marlboro County at 11.0 percent, South Carolina is 6.2 percent; while the national average is 4.9 percent. Based on these rates, it could be anticipated that Youth employment opportunities in on a downward spiral. These rates place Chesterfield County 3.5 percent above this national average and 2.3 percent above the state average.

A series of the Soft Skill Program teaches the facts and knowledge needed to learn the proper procedure in seeking employment. Listed are just a few of the following recommendations that One Stop employees feel are necessary in order to help youth understand the importance of obtaining a job, in addition to maintaining a job once they are hired in.

* Ask the Solicitor's Office to hold a workshop on Criminal Backgrounds, explaining the importance that what youth do now, will affect their future job opportunities.

* Explain why background checks are important to employers, and to explain that legal issues that will keep them from getting hired when there are blemishes on their record.

* How to get a record expunged.

* Offering Financial Management Workshops to youth to help them understand how employers use credit reports and ratings to sometimes determine a new hire.

* Ask for strong representative from the Economic Development Board to be included in this committee.

* Make parenting classes available in the area, with this being a requirement in high risk areas.

Other concerns are to get youth involved in spending their time more efficiently.

"We want to give our youth and the parents something they can enjoy doing and get interested in. Most youth are already computer savvy, but learning the proper way to do research for employment or other skills is also important for them. If you can give people something they enjoy and a skill they can learn, that is in the best interest of everyone," said Thompson.

To learn more about the One Stop Workforce Center, call 843-320-9760.