The Career Resource Center provides the foundation for the entire project.

It is one of the most productive, and least costly, undertakings to assist individuals in finding employment. The CRC concept requires minimal staffing and almost no purchase of outside resources. In essence, it is space made available where individuals can go to work on their job campaigns, check on available positions, make telephone calls, receive messages, do research on potential companies to contact and be interviewed by companies who have been invited to interview candidates on-site.

First Transitions has organized many CRCs for its clients, both on and off company premises, and would be pleased to advise your organization on how such an endeavor could be successfully undertaken.

Structuring the CRC

We envision most CRCs to be operational for a two to three month period. Ideally, it would include:

• Separate phone number
• Private space on-site
• Counseling by an on-site manager
• Private offices with phones
• Conference room
• Sufficient open space to house secretarial desks with personal computers
• Additional desks or carrels to accommodate 15% of the total number of employees eligible to use the CRC
• Reference and research materials
• Photocopying capability
• Clerical support
• Video camera and television

Typically, clients use on-site space, which from a cost standpoint, can be absorbed through existing overhead. The alternative is to rent temporary space off-site, which not only adds cost but also makes it more difficult for the CRC manager to manage administratively and to control access.