Staff Writer

ONEONTA — Job-seekers and employers are offered new and improved services through the Chenango-Delaware-Otsego Workforce, officials said.

"The partner agencies have always worked together, but there has never been this level of coordination or cooperation," said Kevin Price, executive director of the CDO Workforce Investment Board.

The 24 autonomous partner agencies include local social service departments, colleges and county chambers.

For job-seekers, the CDO Workforce offers resume help, a computerized job search, a career resource library and training opportunities.

Employers are provided with information on available workers, employee training, wages and benefits and funds for start-up and training.

CDO was certified a Workforce New York Agency by the state Department of Labor in August.

CDO has locations in Oneonta and Norwich, with satellite offices in Sidney and Delhi.

A new program, "Business of the Day," is for businesses looking to recruit employees.

The free service is like a personal job fair for the company, officials said, and includes applicant screening and event promotion.

"You can really focus on the particular needs of the business that day and find people interested in working for that employer," said Bruce L. Ward, manager of the CDO office in Oneonta.

A seven-person team of CDO service representatives was established this year to travel to businesses and offer consultations.

"We listen to the businesses," said Alan Sessions, a member of the mobile team and an employer service representative with Oneonta's labor department.

"I think that's the most important thing we can do ... to assist businesses to grow," he said.

CDO helps more than 400 job-seekers per month, Ward said. About 6,000 signed up last year, he said.

For example, CDO is working with laid-off Ames employees, Price said.

A newly remodeled Oneonta office offers personal computers with Internet access and a resume preparation program, phones, a fax machine and the resource library.

A single job bank is maintained for job-seekers.

"As time has gone on, everyone realized how we interact and work together to accomplish certain goals," Price said. "It's only gotten better."