City of Mesa to launch new job access center this spring

PHOENIX — The Mesa City Council on Monday approved the launch of a job access center this spring that will help residents find work and build a career.

The Workforce Development Jobs Access Center will be located in the existing MesaCAN building at 635 E. Broadway Road and is a partnership between Maricopa County’s ARIZONA@WORK and nonprofit A New Leaf, according to a press release.

Services that will be available to job seekers at the center include resume building, interview workshops, dress for success clothing and assistance to create a plan for career growth, the city said.

The center will also offer various learning opportunities, such as access to education or trades certifications and the BankWork$ program that prepares individuals for a career in the finance sector.

“This effort is right on time to help people who call Mesa home make a good living and thrive in our city,” Mayor John Giles said in the release.

“We’re pleased to partner with A New Leaf and ARIZONA@WORK to extend skill-building opportunities to those who have been left out of the workforce, in recovery programs or have been displaced due to the pandemic.”

Meanwhile, the city said businesses can also use the center to link with qualified candidates for job openings.

The city said it is investing around $250,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funding to cover startup costs of the center.

More information about Workforce Development programs or services in the county can be found online.

A new website for the center will be available when it launches, the city said.

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