A single mother, underemployed after a downsizing, came for jobs counseling. A middle-aged man sought advice on a career change and a young woman dealing with health issues needed information on what type employment she might be able to handle.
They were among the steady flow of job seekers who came to Baltimore County's newest work force development center, which opened in Randallstown Monday. The county's third job counseling and training center — the others are in Hunt Valley and Eastpoint — occupies about a quarter of the Liberty Center, a 39,000-square-foot facility that the county is leasing in a shopping center near the intersection of Liberty and Offutt roads. The County Council approved a $5.9 million 10-year lease that started this month.
"We have the tools here to help people expand their horizons and make good decisions about their futures," said the center's manager, Howard Marshall.
Marshall, who oversees a staff of 13, recently transferred from the Hunt Valley center, which averaged about 1,000 client visits a month. The Eastpoint xenter in Essex handles about 2,500 a month. He expects the new center to see even higher numbers.
"At Hunt Valley, about 50 percent of our customers had west side Zip codes," he said. "Even last week, as we prepared to open, we had knocks on the door and questions. This community is definitely ready for our help and excited about having these resources so close."
The jobs center offers classrooms, technology and counseling with enough space to run seminars, workshops and a job fair at the same time, he said. Several computers are available in a spacious waiting area at the entry to the center and job boards, filled with the latest job possibilities, line the main hallway. A computer lab has dozens more stations available as well as offices for individual counseling.
Career counselors can help clients with numerous tasks, including resume writing, job searches, employment plans and federal government applications.
Robin Perry of Pikesville lost her position as a consultant with Baltimore City last year and took the first job she could find to support her two children. But she would like to get back to the communications field, she said.
"This center shows the government is really trying to offer all of us opportunities to do better," she said. "A lot of people are where I am and need help."
Gillian Heptinstall, career resources director, ushered Perry into the computer lab, assuring her she would be impressed with the services available.
David Hinton, 55, said he has found employers interested in his years of experience in the restaurant industry but unwilling to hire a man of his age. He, too, finds himself underemployed.
"I want to provide for my family, not just survive from one paycheck to the next," he said. "I hope they can help me here."
For those who want more in-depth training or further assistance, a satellite branch of the Community College of Baltimore County and administrative offices for the county Department of Social Services, are located in the same building, a former Giant Food Store.
The college will offer classes in several areas, including healthcare, computer science and refresher courses in math. It also has equipped several technology labs for those interested in electronics, carpentry and plumbing.
"We have a lot of moving pieces here to provide services to job seekers," Marshall said.