Employment and Training Services

Portage Workforce Connection
Contact: Tim Beckner
1081 W. Main St., P.O. Box 1207
Ravenna OH 44266
Phone: 330-296-2841 
Fax: 330-296-7805
Email: Becknt01@odjfs.state.oh.us
 

Adult Education and Training
Provides tuition assistance for occupational skills training is available to eligible county residents. The WDA can assist in funding various occupational training programs at trade, technical and business schools and universities. Services are provided through the Portage Workforce Connection's one-stop system.

Provides employment and training services to those 55 and older.

Youth Education and Training
Provides career counseling and pre-employment skills training is available to youth, ages 14-21. See Youth Services.

Eligibility
1. Youth Services.. are available for youth and adults who meet established income guidelines for the Workforce Investment Act
( WIA )

2. Workers dislocated by a long-term layoff or business closure.

Maplewood Career Center Adult Education
Contact: Tom Edwards
(330) 296-2892, ext. 105 edwardsth@mwood.cc
Web Site: www.maplenet.sparcc.org

Adult Education
Offers a variety of training programs in vocational and trade areas, including welding, computers, automotive, machining, culinary and construction.

Offers assessment of basic academic skills, adult basic education and GED preparation. Courses allow a person to brush-up on existing skills or acquire necessary knowledge to enter a new career.

Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission
John Scerbak, Area Manager

• Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR)
  Carrie Johnson, Rehabilitation Supervisor

• Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI)
  Kathy Kimble, Rehabilitation Supervisor

161 S. High St., Suite 103-A
Akron, OH 44308-1615 
(330) 643-3080
TTY (330) 643-3090
FAX (330) 643-3084
1-800-251-2368
E-mail: john.scerbak@rsc.state.oh.us
Web Site: http://www.state.oh.us/rsc/

To be eligible, a person must: have a disability which constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; be able to benefit from services in terms of an employment outcome; and require services to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment. Anyone can refer an individual for services. Self-referrals are very welcome. Contact us for more details.

Provides training programs such as:

• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) *

• Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)*

• Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA)*

*Eligibility required for NAFTA, TAA and TRA training programs.

Offers veteran employment and training services. Veterans call Tom Huxley at 330-296-2841 for an appointment.

Unemployment Benefits
You can now register for Unemployment Benefits by Telephone
Toll-Free Number: 1-877-644-6562  **Never use Redial** or on-line at http://unemployment.ohio.gov/ 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Follow the recorded instructions and your call will be placed in line for the next available agent. Call the work day following your separation. Calls are accepted 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 7:00a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday
Please note that limited service is available from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

You will need:

• Social Security Card and Driver license or Ohio ID.

• Your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address

• The name, address, telephone number and dates of your employment with each employer where you worked during the past six weeks of employment

• Name and address of all employers in the last 18 months; or since last reporting.

• For military service in the last 18 months, your DD214.

• For Federal employment in the last 18 months, forms; SF8 and SF50.

• The reason you became unemployed from each employer

When applicable:

• Your Alien ID number.

• Dependent children's birth dates and schools.

• Dependent spouse's Social Security Number and income the last 90 days.

Portage Workforce Connection
Contact: Tim Beckner
1081 W. Main St., P.O. Box 1207
Ravenna OH 44266
Phone: 330-296-2841 
Fax: 330-296-7805
Email: Becknt01@odjfs.state.oh.us

Eligibility
Eligibility for services is based on income and other special circumstances. Click on the www link on the left for more details.

Provides part-time employment in government and non-profit agencies for low-income individuals age 55 and older.

Offers Job Club program, a 2-3 week session that teaches participants how to be pro-active rather than re-active job seekers.

Assist with job search through individual employment counselors.

PMHA is accepting applications for participants seeking to improve job skills and bolster their marketability in the local labor market. Applicants must be named on a lease for housing assisted by PMHA to be eligible.