To help Californians prepare for and find the jobs they want in the post-COVID economy, the California State Library is introducing a package of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded online tools, available through local libraries, that provide job training, skill building, test preparation, and professional development.

These services, dubbed CAreer Pathways, are from some of the top online learning companies and are accessible either at the public library or at home. Access to these platforms, which are in multiple languages, normally comes with subscription and other fees. Now, for at least one year, they are all available for free to any California library user.

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Coursera

(Access Ends September 14, 2024) Coursera’s mission is to help individuals build the skills they need for in-demand jobs.

  • Provides learners with access to more than 5,000 courses and certifications led by top businesses, universities, and organizations.
  • Courses include: English for Business and Entrepreneurship (ESL), Foundations of Public Health Practice, Become an EMT, Bookkeeping Basics, Introduction to Google Docs, Design a Restaurant Menu, Food and Beverage Management, Branding: The Creative Journey.
  • Contains “Gateway Certification,” a program for people without a college degree and with no experience in the field, built by leading companies such as Google. Facebook, and Salesforce.
  • Offers subtitles in more than 50 languages

coursera
This resource was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act, administered in California by the State Librarian and by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

Ebsco Accelerator

Job & Career Accelerator

(Access Ends September 30, 2024) Job & Career Accelerator is an easy-to-use search tool with everything patrons and students need to find, apply for, and get hired into ideal positions.

  • Provides tools to create professional and competitive resumes and cover letters.
  • Features job and internship search engines matched to the user’s profile and needs.
  • Offers professional interview preparation and practice tools.
  • Includes occupation explorers to find the profession that suits the user’s wants and directs to the skills needed for chosen professions.
  • Contains college and scholarship finders.

Career Accelerator
This resource was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act, administered in California by the State Librarian and by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.Ebsco Learning express

LearningExpress Library

(Access Ends September 30, 2024) LearningExpress — Library Complete supports those looking to obtain occupational certification, prepare for college, find a job, become a U.S. citizen, and much more.

  • Assists in professional exam preparation, including the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), California Real Estate Salesperson exam, and the California Police Officer Exam.
  • Courses include: Exam prep in plumbing, air traffic control, law enforcement, EMT, firefighter, nursing, teaching, adult education in Spanish, college placement exam prep.
  • Supplies tools for earning a high school equivalency diploma in California.

learningexpress
This resource was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act, administered in California by the State Librarian and by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

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Northstar

(Access Ends September 30, 2024) Northstar focuses on people with no, low, or limited technology skills

  • Build skills in key digital literacy areas and demonstrate knowledge by earning certificates and badges.
  • Courses include: Your Digital Footprint, Supporting K-12 Distance Learning, Email, Internet Basics, Information Literacy
  • Defines the basic skills needed to use a computer and the internet in daily life, employment, and higher education.
  • Online, self-guided assessments measure mastery of basic skills in 14 areas.
  • Classroom curricula provide detailed lesson plans for teachers, and can be used remotely or in person.

northstar link
This resource was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act, administered in California by the State Librarian and by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library. 

VetNow

(Access Ends September 30, 2024) VetNow is an all-in-one suite of services designed for a wide range of career and veteran needs.

  • Has access to live help and links for Navigating the Veterans Affairs system.
  • Navigators help veterans and their families understand and apply for the benefits they are eligible for from local, state, or federal programs.
  • Houses resources to support adjusting from military to a civilian career.
  • Helps veterans and their families prepare for college with a suite of academic tools. Live online tutoring in a variety of college level subjects is available, along with writing support, extensive video lessons, and comprehensive practice tests.

Brainfuse VetNow Button Link.
This resource is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian, and by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.