US Department of Labor launches Web portal to help job seekers

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has launched a Web portal to help job seekers match their current skills to new careers and find out what training is needed to transition from one job to another. This new online tool is called "mySkillsmyFuture" and can be accessed at http://www.myskillsmyfuture.org. Users will be able to view local job postings and locate training and education providers. They also will be able to find descriptions, salary information and common job tasks associated with a new occupation.

"Americans deserve good jobs, and MySkillsmyFuture is one of the ways we're ensuring they can find and access them," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The MySkillsmyFuture portal personalizes job searches. It allows people to explore work possibilities based on their experience, strengths and interests. It also connects them with high quality training programs and provides localized job postings."

The new site's features include:

* Detailed information about occupational skills that can be transferred from one job to another.
* A side-by-side comparison chart of likely skill gaps from one occupation to another.
* Links to local training programs that are available to help fill skill and knowledge gaps.

Additionally, users will be able to find opportunities for short-term training programs provided by local community colleges and other postsecondary schools. They can find career-specific details about obtaining credentials such as certifications, licenses and apprenticeships. Users also will be able to view and apply for open job postings available by ZIP code or state. Job listings are from a national database and will be updated daily.

mySkills myFuture includes an integrated help system with page-by-page instructions and videos to enhance the user experience. The online program is based on data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Information Network, known as O*NET, and the National Labor Exchange. Data from O*NET includes the required knowledge, skills and abilities for more than 900 occupations, which helps identify transferable skills and skill gaps among different occupations. The National Labor Exchange is a service of DirectEmployers Association, a nonprofit consortium of more than 550 leading U.S. corporations.