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Officials and partners in the MontgomeryWorks Sales & Service Learning Center cut the ribbon at the January 2005 grand opening ceremony.
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News & Events
Grand opening: Read the Washington Post article
Grand opening: Read the NRF press release (pdf file)
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MontgomeryWorks Sales & Service Learning Center (SSLC) is managed by the Career Transition Center, Inc., Montgomery County's One-Stop Workforce Center operator. The Learning Center is an initiative between Montgomery County's Department of Economic Development, Division of Workforce Investment Services and NRF Foundation with support from Westfield Corporation, Inc., employers, local, state and federal government agencies, schools and colleges, and community-based organizations.
The SSLC is designed to be a highly visible resource and catalyst for encouraging employers to work with the public workforce system and to invest in building a more professional, committed retail and customer service workforce. The Center strengthens and enhances the local sales, service, and retail industries by providing well trained sales and service industry staff, a point of referral for employers seeking to fill positions and an opportunity for training, credentialing and career path movement for those entering and/or currently working in this sector. The SSLC, located at Westfield Wheaton, is fully equipped for training activities, including an 18-person capacity classroom, a 10-person capacity internet-ready computer lab, and a 14-person capacity conference room.
Founding Partners
- Montgomery County Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Investment Services Manages the County’s One-Stop workforce center and dedicates operational funding for the SSLC.
- Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Provides strategic direction to the County’s workforce development system. The WIB is led by the business community, with more than 30 members from all sectors of private industry, non-profits, and government programs.
- NRF Foundation Provides technical assistance for center development and sustainability, as well as initial funding for a project coordination, equipment, and materials.
- Westfield Corporation, Inc Provides 3,064 sq. ft. of retail space to house the center rent-free for five years.
- Donohoe Construction Led a consortium of local construction companies to provide materials, labor and other build out services at no cost. The estimated value of this contribution is $250,000.
- Career Transition Center, Inc. (CTC) The SSLC was established through a working agreement between the NRF Foundation and CTC--a private non-profit organization that operates Montgomery County’s One-Stop Workforce Center, MontgomeryWorks, under a contract with Montgomery County Department of Economic Development.
- Montgomery College A long-standing partner in County workforce development and serves as the primary educational services provider. The college also has an Office of Workforce Development and Continuing Education located in the MontgomeryWorks building.
- Maryland Department of Education Provides funding for a full-time trainer through a contract with Montgomery College, Adult Education and ESOL program.
- Retailers and Employers: Crate & Barrel, The Home Depot, SEARS, and Office Depot Supported the SSLC through donations of furniture, building materials, and supplies.
Services Provided
For Employers:
- Job fairs
- Recruitment & placement of trained qualified applicants
- SSLC sponsored job fairs or customized, single employer events
- Professional development services including:
- Onsite sales & service training
- English classes for speakers of other languages (can include sales & customer service training)
- Customized training- for current or potential employees
- Official testing site for the National Professional Certification in Customer Service®*
- Meeting/conference services- i.e. facility rental
For Clients:
- Skills assessment
- Internet ready computer lab: self-led job search, resume writing, access to job postings by local retail and customer service employers
- Sales & customer service training
- English classes for speakers of other languages
- Official testing site for the National Professional Certification in Customer Service®*
- Access to job fairs
- Access to One Stop for job readiness workshops
- Career Counselors
For Youth:
- Same as client services above
For Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), One-Stops and/or related:
- Client services listed above available to clients of MontgomeryWorks and SSLC partners, CBOs and other human services organizations
For Educators:
- Referral source for job announcements, sales & service training, and English as Second Language courses
- Montgomery College is the primary educational services provider for MW SSLC- providing English as a Second Language courses and trainer to teach classes
* a fee is applicable
MontgomeryWorks Sales & Service Learning Center Contact: Mary Ngo, Center Director mngo@montgomeryworks.com |
