News ReleaseCity of Long Beach Public Information Office
333 W. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802

10/29/2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE #CM: 102908
Subject :

Partnership with Verizon, Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network and CSULB Results in Technology and Information Center
Contact :Kathy Parsons, Communications Officer    562.570.3654
    Kathy_Parsons@longbeach.gov
Through a Verizon-funded grant, and in partnership with California State University Long Beach (CSULB), and the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network, the Verizon Community Information Clubhouse (CIC) is now open to the public at the Career Transition Center, 3447 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach.  The Verizon CIC will be used by workers seeking a mid-career change, incumbent workers to increase their business and research knowledge, and by unemployed workers to improve their skills and conduct job searches.

"Verizon has long been aware of the digital divide and we are hopeful that by making this technology resource available to the Long Beach community at the CIC, that the divide will be eliminated for some," said Mike Murray, Government & External Affairs Director, Verizon. "Through collaboration and customer engagement, this new Clubhouse project provides the technology and instruction that can transform massive amounts of information into relevant workforce knowledge and skills for Long Beach area residents and businesses." 

"The University, the College of Business Administration, and the Center for Information Strategies and Technologies (CIST) are very excited about this opportunity to assist mid-career changers, incumbent workers, and the unemployed to expand their career options through enhanced technology and skills development.  In November, our instructors will begin teaching a four-week series, Business & Technology Knowledge and Skills at the CIC," said H. Michael Chung, Director, Center for Information Strategies and Technologies (CIST), College of Business Administration, CSULB.  The CIC Project is managed by the CIST.

"The opening of the Clubhouse at the Career Transition Center is very timely and will be used to support workers who are transitioning careers during this difficult period in our national economy. By providing the technology resources and the training necessary for transitioning workers to acquire additional computer skills and to conduct on line research of various business pathways, Verizon and CSULB have provided a great investment in our workforce," said Bryan Rogers, Executive Director of the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network. 

In alignment with the Network’s employment assistance services, job seeking or career transitioning customers will be able to use the CIC for job search assistance, labor market information, Network web-based training and other workshops, and clerical testing and certification. For information on the CIC workshops and other upcoming sessions, please visit www.pacificgatewayworkforce.com.

Administered by the City of Long Beach, the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network offers free services to both businesses and job seekers. For more information, call:  562.570.WORK, Toll Free 800.292.7200, TTY 562.570.4629.

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