Room to Grow

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The Utah Division of Workforce Services Castle Dale office has a new home after many years in various locations. An open house was recently held to celebrate the new building and the expansion of services offered. Manager of the Emery County Employment Center, Delena Fish welcomed those in attendance at the open house.
Judy Chambley spoke to those present, she is the regional director of workforce services. The Utah State Workforce Services Director, Raylene Ireland spoke at the open house. She said she likes how the new office is situated in the county. It gives increased visibility with its central location. She described the Castle Dale office as having friendly people who understand the resources available. “It is an exceptional office with exceptional people and I foresee a long and satisfying, beneficial relationship with the community and county.” Ireland visited the old office as her first assignment as the state director of workforce services and told them at that time she would be there when the new building was finished.
Blaine Crawford, deputy director of workforce services, spoke at the open house and said he visited Emery County a lot as a youth. He had a grandfather who lived in Castle Dale. “I hated to come over here because there’s not as much activity in Castle Dale as in Price for a youth. A couple of years ago I came over to the workforce services building and got out at a grocery store in a strip mall. It was not a desirable place but the quality of the people working here more that made up for the location. Things have changed in Emery County with the gas wells and the population growth. It’s not about a new building though, it’s about people and building relationships. We deal with people who are not at a great time in their lives. They are having a little trouble and it’s great to be able to lend a helping hand to get beyond the hurdle. The new building will help lend better access for the whole county to get the help they need and we’re glad for that to happen.”
Fish said the morale of the whole team has changed since moving into the new building. It has increased our ability to provide good services to our clients and enlarged our services and accessibility. She also described some of the services available at the workforce services. At the self-help center job seekers can search online services which are available at jobs.utah.gov. This website helps to connect job seekers and employers. Job seekers can also receive help in writing a resume and can also access the internet site of Americas job bank. The DWS also offers workshops for job seekers to help them in their job search. They are taught how to fill out resumes and how to succeed at a job interview. One of the features of the new building is an onsite training center for the DWS employees, in the past employees have had to go to other DWS offices for training. Employees will receive needed training without leaving the building.
Another feature of the new building is the spacious conference area for meetings. This area is also being made available to the general public for any meetings they might need to hold. The local ATV club has already made use of the facility. The entire building is wheelchair accessible and easier for those with handicaps to use. Employees meet with clients in private cubicles which aids the client in feeling comfortable with their surroundings. Sensitive issues are dealt with in the privacy of offices which are available for the use of all employees and their clients.

A general reception area awaits the client as they come in the door. Computers are also available for job seekers to check the jobs on the website. The job seeker will be assisted in any way possible to aid in their job search. Another service offered at DWS is the skills testing of clients for employers. Numerous tests are given to match clients with skills to employers with open positions.
The Castle Dale office was in line for a new facility when funding became available and it has been in the planning stages for the last five years. Five agencies were combined to create the Department of Workforce Services. The department of human services and supportive services like medicaid and food stamps, the old job service, JTPA and the office of child care were all combined under one umbrella to increase the quality of life for individuals while becoming employable. Fish believes this combining has been a good move.
“It’s a wonderful thing, providing supportive services while people progress. With the new agency I think we are duplicating services less and can plan more for career development. It’s a good process,” said Fish. “We also offer training services, we have money available to those who are eligible to help them further their training and employability; these services could include helping them obtain a two-year associate’s degree, vocational training and other related training to enhance their skills and obtain better paying jobs. We also offer classes in lifeskills and assertiveness, budgeting classes, how not to be a victim, communication and many others……these are available to the general public at no cost. We offer an array of opportunities.”
Fish said that the employees all have an enthusiasm for their jobs and are delighted with the new facility. Emery County Employment Center staff are: Susan Sitterud, supervisor; Wayne Tuttle, information specialist; Karla Powell, employment counselor; Margaret Fielding, employment counselor; Dale Roper, business consultant; Debby Orton, employment counselor; Debra Warrington, employment counselor; Debbie Thornton, eligibility specialist; Debbie Smith, eligibility specialist; Elizabeth Thorpe, eligibility specialist; Vicki Jensen, employment counselor and Kay Early, green thumb.