Contact:
Sandra Powell  (401) 462-8803
Assistant Director, Workforce Development

WOONSOCKET-Director Adelita S. Orefice is proud to announce that the Woonsocket netWORKri Career Center at 217 Pond Street is once again open for business. Extensive renovations have completely transformed the facility and now the state-of-the-art building, renamed the "Northern Rhode Island Government Center," offers services from three state agencies: the Department of Labor and Training's netWORKri center, a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) branch office, and the Department of Correction's Adult Probation and Parole program. The Department of Labor and Training (DLT) owns the building and leases space to the other tenants.

The DMV's move into half of the 13,000 square-foot building in mid-June was met with great praise for the bright, spacious space. netWORKri, a partnership between DLT, other state agencies, and private training and educational organizations, opens its doors to the public on Monday, October 16th. "Coordinating state services under one roof better serves our citizens and it should be a model for what we do in other communities," Governor Donald L. Carcieri said.

"The Department of Labor and Training connects people with meaningful employment," explained Director Orefice. "Job seekers can use personal computers and the Internet, telephone, fax and copy machines to help in their job search. netWORKri is ready to assist any job seeker, whether the goal is a first job, a better job, or a career change. And Rhode Island businesses can work with talented netWORKri professionals to fill vacancies or secure training grants. Like our slogan says, this new facility is truly 'Where people and jobs connect!'"

The appealing office space also attracted the Adult Probation and Parole program, which relocated from Hamlet Avenue to Pond Street on August 30th. A.T. Wall, II, director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, noted, "We look forward to this collaboration, which will enable us to better provide opportunities for over 1,400 probationers and parolees living in the greater Woonsocket area to lead productive and law-abiding lives."


The Woonsocket netWORKri Career Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Any job seeker or employer is encouraged to visit this or any of the other five centers or to go to www.netWORKri.org. To review or post a job listing, call 888-616-JOBS (5627).

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The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training offers a wide array of employment and training services to both the general public and to individuals with unusual barriers to employment. DLT is ready to assist any job seeker, whether the goal is a first job, a better job, or a career change. Rhode Island's workforce is protected through the enforcement of labor laws, prevailing wage rates, and workplace health and safety standards. Temporary income support is available to unemployed, sick, or injured workers and a comprehensive rehabilitation program is available to those injured on the job.

DLT is dedicated to the growth and competitiveness of Rhode Island industry, administering a variety of training grants, tax credits, and apprenticeship programs to help employers. Economic indicators and labor market information are available for long-range planning. The Agency engages in active outreach, helping large and small employers retain their best workers or retrain their existing work force. At no cost to the employer, DLT will also screen job applicants, post job vacancies, and help businesses institute cost-sharing programs that can avert layoffs.

For more information on the innovative programs and services available to all Rhode Islanders at the Department of Labor and Training, please call (401) 462-8000 or visit the web site at
www.dlt.ri.gov

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
TDD (401) 462-8006