Tri-Valley One-Stop Offers Help with Hiring, On-the-Job Training Incentives

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Finding quality employees is one of the most critical tasks at any business, but it doesn't have to be difficult thanks to the Tri-Valley One-Stop Business and Career Center, a publicly-funded service that offers assistance to both employers and the general public. The Tri-Valley One-Stop, located at 5020 Franklin Drive in Pleasanton, is a hiring employer's best friend. Their expert personnel can help put together job descriptions, pre-screen applicants, provide a convenient location for job interviews with prospective employees, and even help subsidize employee wages through their on-the-job training program.

Pat Donovan, the One-Stop's employer services representative, notes that their services are popular with both small employers and large corporations. "Even companies like Safeway utilize the One-Stop."

She illustrates one scenario in which the One-Stop can benefit businesses. "Let's say for example we get a phone call from an employer, and they say, 'Pat, I'm looking for a customer service individual.' We then start finding out exactly what skills are needed to do the job. For example, do they need to have at least a couple of years of interacting with the public? Do they need to have computer skills? Are they going to be someone who is more on the phone or dealing directly, one-on-one with the public that is coming through? We try to determine any kind of specific skills that they feel the individuals need to have to be able to fill the position."

The One-Stop can also provide useful information for employers who are interested in establishing appropriate salary levels for new hires. "We utilize labor market information to give them a basic range that they may want to look at for specific positions," she says. Donovan is particularly enthusiastic about the One-Stop's On-the-Job Training program, which reimburses employers up to 50 percent of a new hire's salary for up to four months if the employer is willing to teach new skills to the employee.

"Part of the fear that many employers have is that training is time consuming, so if we can bring down the cost of training to employers, they're much more amenable to bringing on these individuals," she explains.

An agreement is created between the employer, the employee, and the One-Stop prior to hiring, which allows the One-Stop to monitor the situation to make sure that the employer is very satisfied with the partnership and that the individual is receiving the appropriate training. The program has been very well received. "We have a success rate above 90 percent with regard to these On the Job Training contracts." The One-Stop also offers on-site, customized training for companies that wish to upgrade the skills of a number of employees.

Another area of activity is working with both employers and prospective employees at local job fairs; two are scheduled in the coming weeks. The first will be held at the Las Positas College Student Center on Tuesday, April 25 from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm. A number of Hacienda employers will be there, including 24-Hour Fitness, Hacienda Child Development Center, and Nellcor/Tyco Healthcare. The One-Stop is partnering with the University of Phoenix in Pleasanton for a Spring Job Expo on Wednesday, May 3 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

For additional information on the Tri-Valley One-Stop and its services, contact Pat Donovan at (925) 485-5262.

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