American Job Center, Hawaiʻi Island

Utilizing Federally funded workforce grants, the American Job Center provides training opportunities for people who have been laid off from their job, receiving public assistance, persons with disabilities who are ready to work, mature workers, Veterans, and individuals who want to secure their high school diploma.

As a one-stop-shop, the American Job Center

• Assists individuals to acquire the skills employers need;
• Partners with local businesses to create a strong economy; and
• Assists the unemployed and underemployed with Career Services such as Job Search, Interviewing tips, Application assistance and Workshops.

The American Job Center provides free services to assist employers and job seekers alike with employment and training needs such as:

• Job listings
• Resume Assistance
• Hiring events/Job Fair
• Helps employers find qualified candidates
• Community resource
• Computer and internet access
• Recruitment and screening
• Education and training programs
• Rapid response to employees and businesses impacted by layoffs

427 Kilauea Avenue, B-10, Hilo, Hawaiʻi, 96720

Phone: (808) 935-6527

Directions

COVID-19 Disaster RecoveryDislocated Worker Grant (DWG) Program

Individuals: Did you lose your job due to the COVID-19 Pandemic? This grant program may be able to hire you for up to 1 year (2080 hours).

Available jobs for eligible individuals include:

• Cleaners/Sanitizers: to assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19
• Meal Preparers, Packers, and Delivery Drivers: to provide meals and supplies for vulnerable persons affected by COVID-19
• Farm Fresh Food Preparers: to provide locally grown food to vulnerable persons affected by COVID-19
• Outreach Workers & Resource Coordinators: to provide assistance and counseling to connect individuals with COVID-19 resources

For eligibility and questions regarding the job positions:Contact DWG Statewide Project Manager:  Michele David (808) 664-6371 mdavid@hi-employment.com

*Please note: all services and programs are subject to availability of Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds and eligibility of the applicant. The COVID-19 Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) Program is funded by a grant from the U.S.Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. DWG is an equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aides and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

For more information, visit the program webpage: https://hi-employment.com/covid-19

Hirenet Hawaiʻi is designed with Hawaiʻi’s businesses in mind.

Employers are able to post their job openings, search through resumes for possible candidates, access industry statistics and much more.

Employers may also receive direct referrals from HireNet Hawaiʻi’s virtual recruiter to assure they get the best match for their positions.

Most importantly, all of these services are available at no cost.

Click to enter site.

The State's Workforce Development Division (WDD) can help business owners and their employees find new opportunities to improve their business.

Interested employers can schedule to have local WDD staff come to their place of business to discuss some of the services and benefits we provide.

Through this program, the WDD can provide employers with information on:

• Incumbent Worker Training Programs
• Labor Market Information
• Job Referrals
• Internships
• Layoff Aversion
• And many more services

To learn more about Employer Outreach or to schedule an appointment, contact the American Job Center in Hilo.

The State Workforce Development Division can connect contractors and employers with officially approved and registered apprenticeship programs in Hawaii. By hiring apprentices from these programs, employers are guaranteed a highly skilled and competent workforce.

Currently, there are 67 registered program sponsors of various apprenticeable occupations such carpenters, plumbers, and electricians.

These apprenticeship programs offer contractors and employers the opportunity to hire quality workers.

To learn more click on the following links:

• Apprenticeship Recruitment Notices
• Apprenticeship Benefits
• Who Relies on Apprenticeships?
• Apprenticeship Agreement Preference
• Apprenticeship Resources for Employers

The Federally-funded On the Job Training Program (OJT) allows employers to be reimbursed for 50-90% of their costs related to training new hires who meet program minimum requirements.

Interested employers may contact the American Job Center in Hilo for more information.

About the Employment and Training Fund

From its inception in 1991 ETF has helped employers train thousands of workers to learn invaluable new skills for their jobs.  With these new skills, employees are now able to better perform in their jobs and seek out increased pay or promotions.

Currently, there are two types of ETF funding sources.

ETF Macro

ETF Macro provides grants for industry specific training where there are critical skill shortages in high growth occupational or industry areas. These funds are used as “seed” money to develop “cutting edge” education and training curricula and program design and activities where none exist in the state. 

ETF Macro grants are made available on availability of funds.

All business organizations, consortia, and employer groups interested in applying for an ETF grant should contact Todd.G.Hamamoto@hawaii.gov and in the subject heading, include the title, “Request to be added to ETF Macro RFP Notification List.”  In the body of the email, please provide contact information and point of contact.

ETF Micro

The ETF Micro program is most popular among individual businesses that need to upgrade the job skills of their employees. Training courses that are available include, but not limited to: computer, business, management, health, medical training, or soft skills training. Employers are eligible to receive up to 50% (maximum $400 tuition subsidy) of total tuition costs provided by approved vendors.  To learn more about the ETF Micro program, CLICK HERE.

ETF Resources and Forms

To help at-risk job seekers find new careers, the Federal Bonding Program was implemented to provide additional peace of mind for employers when hiring these individuals.

Eligibility/How to Apply

Hawai‘i is currently working with the McLaughlin Company to provide support for the Federal Bonding Program.  Through the program, employers are able to obtain $5,000 bonds with a six-month duration and no deductibles.  Each year, the Federal Government allocates a limited amount of these bonds for Hawai‘i which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Federal Bonding Program can be made available for the following groups:

• Ex-offender with a record of arrest, conviction, or imprisonment; anyone that has been on parole, probation, or has any police record
• Recovering substance abusers; persons rehabilitated through treatment for alcohol or substance abuse
• Poor credit record or declared bankruptcy
• Dishonorably discharged from the military
• Persons lacking a work history who are from families of low income

Employers interested in applying for these bonds should their contact the local Workforce Development Division Office  and request a Federal Bonding Program application.  Once an employer's application is successfully submitted, the McLaughlin Company will send the bond directly to the employer's company.

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Program provides significant tax credit incentives to hire new employees that are from target groups identified by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Eligibility

Employers can hire eligible employees from the following target groups for WOTC.

• Unemployed Veterans (including disabled veterans)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Recipients
• Food Stamp (SNAP) Recipients
• Vocational Rehabilitation Referred Individuals
• Ex-Felons
• Supplemental Security Income Recipients
• Qualified Long-Term Unemployment Recipient

Click here for resources on the certification criteria for the WOTC target groups.

What Kinds of New Hires are Ineligible for WOTC Tax Credits?

The following is a list of new hires who are ineligible for your company to receive WOTC tax credits.

1. Relatives and dependents of employers
2. Majority owners of the employer, and
3. Former employees