Newsroom

Kansas Department of Labor Unveils T.O.T.O., a Cutting-Edge Career Exploration Platform

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 16:37:00 GMT

Geographic Solutions, in collaboration with the Labor Market Information (LMI) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL), has launched Today’s Occupations, Tomorrow’s Opportunities (T.O.T.O.), an innovative career exploration platform designed to help students and career changers navigate their professional paths.

“The launch of T.O.T.O. represents a significant step forward in empowering the next generation of workers in the state of Kansas,” said Labor Secretary Amber Shultz “Through our partnership with Geographic Solutions, we can better equip students and career changers with advanced career exploration tools that will help them make informed decisions about their professional futures.” Governor Laura Kelly added, “I am thrilled to support the launch of T.O.T.O. and am confident this new platform will help Kansans find meaningful careers. By investing in an updated, engaging, and comprehensive career exploration platform, we are showing our commitment to building a strong workforce in Kansas.”

Powered by Geographic Solutions’ Virtual Career Center (VCC) software solution, T.O.T.O. offers self-service tools to help individuals explore their interests, develop their career paths, and find quality employment opportunities in Kansas. Facilitators will gain access to specially curated worksheets and guides that offer direction on career development, job searching strategies, and interview preparation. Additional key features include:

Wizard of Jobs – Reality Check: Helps users estimate the salary needed for their desired lifestyle, bridging the gap between financial planning and career decision-making.
Virtual Career Center – Comprehensive Career Exploration and Planning: Connects users to localized occupation data as well as education and training programs aligned with their interests and salary goals. It also provides real-time Kansas job postings, résumé and interview preparation tools, and access to apprenticeships and internships.
Electronic Portfolio – Portable Record of Career Development and Readiness Tracks student progress through personalized dashboards and profiles, saving interest inventories, preferred careers and programs, and other career development activities and artifacts.
Curated Resources – Support for Students and Facilitators: Provides students and facilitators with user-friendly materials to guide students through meaningful career exploration and planning.
Partnering Schools and Institutions – Student Management: Enables student service and tracking tools for partnering schools and institutions with options for customization and detailed reporting.

“We are proud to partner with the Kansas Department of Labor to develop T.OT.O. to help younger generations find their career path as they navigate today’s ever-evolving job market,” said Paul Toomey, President and Founder of Geographic Solutions. “T.O.T.O is more than a job search board, it’s an intuitive platform that will serve as a compass for students and career changers alike, guiding them towards opportunities that align with both their talents and the state's growing industries.”

By launching T.O.T.O., KDOL reaffirms its commitment to equipping Kansans with the tools and data they need to make informed career decisions. This innovative website revolutionizes career planning by integrating cutting-edge technology, interactive learning, and Kansas-specific, real-world job market insights—helping individuals take confident steps toward their future.

The launch of T.O.T.O was recently featured in a story from the local broadcast news station, KSNW-TV (Wichita, KS). The story was also syndicated to Yahoo News, Salina Post, Butler County Times-Gazette, and KCLY-FM. Follow the link here to read the original article.

Geographic Solutions Partners with Temple Economic Development Corporation to Launch New Employment Portal

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 20:33:00 GMT

Geographic Solutions has recently partnered with Temple Economic Development Corporation (Temple EDC) to launch Employ Central Texas, a new employment portal to connect job seekers and employers across Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties.

Employ Central Texas represents a significant step forward in strengthening the regional workforce system. Powered by Geographic Solutions’ VOS Sapphire software, the portal seamlessly integrates the functionality of the state’s existing employment system, WorkInTexas, to provide a secure, user-friendly platform to empower job seekers and employers.

“We are honored to partner with Temple EDC to help job seekers and employers across the Central Texas Region to find quality employment and candidates,” said Paul Toomey, President and Founder of Geographic Solutions. “We’re confident the Employ Central Texas Portal will make a positive impact on the regional economy and help create a healthier workforce.”

The portal offers job seekers a comprehensive suite of tools and resources to navigate the job market efficiently and effectively. Users will have access to search through thousands of jobs both locally and across the state, ensuring a diverse range of opportunities. The platform goes beyond listing jobs, it provides access to valuable resources such as training programs and career advancement guidance, enabling individuals to enhance their skills and value in the labor market.

Geographic Solutions Launches VOScast Podcast Series

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 22:29:30 GMT

Palm Harbor, FL – January 19, 2024 – Geographic Solutions, in partnership with Workforce180, is excited to announce the launch of VOScast, a 12-episode podcast series that delves into the world of workforce development, unemployment insurance, and creative ways to reach hard-to-serve demographics.

Hosted by Geographic Solutions’ Digital Content Specialist, Evan Brenner, the VOScast series tackles a range of timely workforce-related topics, as well as thought-provoking discussions with industry experts, workforce development professionals, and policymakers. Each episode will explore the latest developments and challenges in the industry, as well as delve into ancillary aspects of workforce development, including innovative software that secures employment for the justice-involved prior to parole and aligning collegiate programs with local hiring needs in order to feed talent pipelines.

"We are excited to launch the VOScast series and provide a platform to discuss the critical issues, trends, and news facing the workforce development industry," said Paul Toomey, President of Geographic Solutions. "Our goal is to hit the airwaves, foster meaningful conversations and share insights that will empower and inspire organizations as they navigate the ever-changing landscape of workforce development."

The podcast series is part of Geographic Solutions’ ongoing commitment to supporting workforce development efforts and providing innovative solutions that support and drive those in the workforce industry. In partnering with Workforce180, an established and well-respected industry professional, the two entities hope to cast a broader listener net in an effort to bring together a community of workforce development professionals to offer a sounding board, share knowledge, best practices, and valuable insights.

The first episode features the Executive Director of WorkSource East Central Georgia, La Tunya Goodwin as a guest. The VOScast is now available on the Geographic Solutions website and on popular podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.