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Minnesota WorkForce Center-Hennepin South

Frequently Asked Questions

Contents:

What services are available at the WorkForce Center-Hennepin South?
Do I need to qualify for WorkForce Center Services?
How do I know if I qualify for Unemployment Benefits?
How do I apply for Unemployment Benefits?
Do only Hennepin County residents get to use your office?
When are you open?
Can you provide financial assistance for my career training?
Can you tell me what schools offer the training I what?
Can I get help in looking for a job?
How do I get to your office?

 

What services are available at the WorkForce Center-Hennepin South?

The following services are provided at no cost:

  • How to find a job and/or keep a job
  • Employer recruitment/information hosting
  • Access to job postings via MinnesotaWorks.net and other Internet sites
  • Job Search Workshops
  • A library of employment related books, including Corporate Report Factbook, which is an information sourcebook on every company in the Twin Cities   Area  ). Review our books, periodicals and videos available in the Resource Area Library
  • Information on careers, schools and the labor market
  • Microsoft Word 2000 for word processing of resumes, plus high quality laser printing
  • Free tutorials at Resource Area computers for learning Word, computer skills, basic mouse functions, PowerPoint and other applications
  • Practice typing and data entry at the Resource Area computers (Mavis Beacon)
  • Unemployment Insurance Benefit forms
  • Rehabilitation Services
  • State Services for the Blind
  • Job Counselors for families with children (Minnesota Family Investment Program) who were pre-screened by Hennepin County.
  • Dislocated Worker Program
  • WorkForce Investment Act (Adult Training for eligible persons)
  • Business Services
  • Veteran services

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Do I need to qualify for WorkForce Center Services?

No, not at all.  Everyone is able to use the services of the Resource Area which are available on a walk-in basis during business hours. Some other services, such as Unemployment Compensation benefits, Rehabilitation Services, Dislocated Worker Program and Workforce Investment Act Program may require a decision regarding your eligibility in order to receive specialized services.

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How do I know if I qualify for Unemployment Benefits?

To receive Unemployment Benefits, you must meet five requirements:

1) Sufficient Wages  The one-year period that determines how much money you may qualify for is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the effective date of your application. A calendar quarter is a three-month period.  You must have the following in your base period to qualify for benefits: Wages of at least $1000 in one calendar quarter, and wage credits in other than the high quarter of at least $250.

Not sure if you qualify? Go ahead and submit the application for benefits. You will be notified about your eligibility for benefits.

2) Unemployed Through No Fault   The reason for your job separation could disqualify you from receiving benefits. Some reasons for disqualification include: Quit without a good reason; discharged for misconduct; refused a job or failed to apply for a suitable job without "good cause" ; being on strike.

Not sure if you qualify? Go ahead and submit the application for benefits. If you were not laid off due to lack of work from your last job, we will contact you and your last employer for additional information.  If you are disqualified from benefits you will  receive a determination explaining the reason.

3) Able to Work  You must be physically and mentally able to work. Report any medical condition that prevents you from working, accepting work or looking for work.

Not sure if you qualify? Call: Twin Cities/Metro 651-284-3033
Greater Minnesota 1-877-504-5050

4) Available for Work  You must be ready and willing to accept full time work. You will lose benefits if personal reasons cause you to severely limit the hours you will work, the wage you will accept, the type of work you are willing to do, or the distance you are willing to travel to work. Being available for work includes making necessary transportation and family care arrangements.

Not sure if you qualify? Call: Twin Cities/Metro 651-284-3033
Greater Minnesota 1-877-504-5050

5) Actively Seeking Work  You must actively look for full-time employment even if you have a part-time job. "Actively seeking" means making a serious effort to find employment every week you request benefits. Examples of work search activities include: Visit employers to complete job applications; mail resumes in response to job leads; phone employers to arrange job interviews; attend job search workshops and job clubs; network in your occupational field and industry; use Internet job banks, bulletin boards and publications; maintain good standing with any union memberships

Keep records of your search for work. You may be asked to present your work search records to verify your contacts.

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How do I apply for Unemployment Benefits?

Unemployment Benefits information and forms for receiving unemployment insurance benefits  are available on-line 

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Do only Hennepin County residents get to use your office?

No, residency is not a requirement. During the hours we are open, you can use the Resource Area and can get assistance with your job search or career planning activities, as well register for our excellent job search workshops. However, some special programs are available only to residents of Hennepin County, such as WIA Adult-Training. and MFIP.

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When are you open?

We are currently open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

We are closed the following legal holidays in 2009

 

New Years Day,  Jan. 1

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19

Presidents Day, Feb. 16

Memorial Day, May 25

Independence Day, July 4

Labor Day, Sept. 7

Veterans' Day, Nov. 11

Thanksgiving Holidays, Nov. 26 and 27

Christmas Day, Dec. 25

 

We are closed the following holidays in 2010

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New Years Day,  Jan. 1

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18

Presidents Day, Feb. 15

Memorial Day, May 31

Independence Day, July 5

Labor Day, Sept. 6

Veterans' Day, Nov. 11

Thanksgiving Holidays, Nov. 25 and 26

Christmas Day, Dec. 25

 

 

Can you provide financial assistance for my career training?

Career training funds are available for certain programs within the WorkForce Center. Call the WorkForce Center general phone number at 952-346-4000
and ask for information..

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Can you tell me what schools offer the training I want?

Yes, we have brochures, catalogs and computerized information on most local post-secondary schools and many other schools in Minnesota and the United States. Also, for your convenience,  Hennepin Technical College has a Computer Training Center located on the second floor of this WorkForce Center. Check out their course offerings at Hennepin Technical College

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Can I get help in looking for a job?

Yes. We have a self-service, state-of-the-art Resource Area along with qualified staff to answer your questions about your resumes and job hunt. Twenty personal computers are available for job search and word processing of resumes and cover letters (and a laser printer for high quality resume printing, as well as laser printers for printing job leads). In addition, we have a fax machine, three telephones and a photocopier to aid you in your job search. (The fax and phones are for local area codes only.)

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Okay, you convinced me to use your WorkForce Center, now how do I get there?

We are located at 4220 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN, just west of France Avenue South and behind the Valley West Shopping Mall. See  map.
If you need further assistance to find us, call 952-346-4035 for the automated driving directions line to our office.

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