In the Headlines

The California Employment and Development Department (EDD), in partnership with Geographic Solutions, is embarking on a significant undertaking to modernize California’s service delivery and reporting systems by integrating software supporting the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Wagner-Peyser Act (WPA), Trade Adjustment Act (TAA), and Employment Training Panel (ETP) programs into a single, modern, integrated, Web-based information system.

The new, leading-edge software-The Workforce Services Network (WSN) will be a significantly improved service delivery tool for job seekers and employers, a highly-effective case management tool for staff, and an efficient data compliance and federal reporting system for EDD administration.

The California Workforce Service Network is set to début in 2011 and will replace the current CalJOBS job search system. The state-of-the-art system provides universal access to online services for individuals seeking jobs and employers seeking employees.All services provided to employers or job seekers, whether self-service or staff-assisted, will be accounted for and used to improve agency performance and regional economic growth initiatives. The solution will keep employers, employees and job seekers competitive.

WSN will be built using Virtual OneStop® Version 11.1 functionality which will provide staff with the most cutting-edge job matching and referral system. Job seekers will be able to search for available jobs in California using a search engine that aggregates jobs from government websites, newspaper postings and corporate job boards.

The site will provide users with a wide array of employment-related services at no charge to the jobseekers and is available in Spanish-speaking and visually-impaired interfaces. Jobseekers can utilize employment tools to create cover letters, build or import resumes, receive a list of available jobs via email or text notifications, and apply for jobs directly to the employer online. Job searches can be conducted by zip code, city, county, metropolitan or workforce area, or on a statewide basis. Jobseekers will be able to search for training opportunities within the system and employers can have access to recent training graduates. Employers can search for talent and rank the candidates using the automated Virtual Recruiter system.

Internally, workforce development Case Managers can also enter and track individuals’ financial aid, budgeting, employment plans, training attendance, and Wagner-Peyser, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), and WIA case management in one online easy-to-use system. Local area workforce boards will have the option to implement document imaging functionality and Geographic Solutions’ VOScan Automated Service Tracking Module, a system that uses scan cards to monitor traffic and training in one-stop centers across the state. All of the functionality mentioned above will significantly streamline service delivery and reporting efforts.

Geographic Solutions, Inc. is a rapidly-growing software development company based in Palm Harbor, FL. Geographic Solutions is the nation’s leading provider of software solutions for workforce development, employment and training. The Company has developed state-of-the-art systems for employment and workforce development agencies for more than 30 states. Our software is now available to over 75% of the job seekers and employers in the country. For more information, visit www.geographicsolutions.comor call 727-786-7955.