What is an American Job Center?

Free walk-in career center funded by the US Department of Labor. Services include job search help, resume writing, interview practice, computer access, WIOA training grants, and direct employer connections. Nearly 2,400 centers nationwide — find yours at careeronestop.org.

Can I get help if I have a record?

Yes. Many states have reentry employment programs; the Center for Employment Opportunities runs transitional jobs in 30+ cities. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit incentivizes employers to hire formerly-incarcerated workers. Fair Chance laws in many states restrict early background checks.

What's an apprenticeship?

Paid on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction leading to a journey-level credential. Common in trades (electrician, plumber, carpenter, HVAC) but expanding into healthcare, IT, and finance. Earn while you learn — no student debt. Find programs at apprenticeship.gov.

What if I'm on unemployment?

You likely qualify for free reemployment services through your American Job Center and for WIOA-funded training while receiving benefits. Dislocated worker services are priority for anyone laid off — including severance, retraining, and relocation support.

Job & Career in Ohio

18 verified resources.

About Job & Career for Fathers

Job and career resources for fathers run through the American Job Center (AJC) network — there are roughly 2,400 physical locations nationwide, every one of which offers free services. AJCs provide job search assistance, resume and interview help, WIOA-funded training (often up to

0,000+ in tuition and fees for in-demand occupations), and connections to apprenticeships. Every state has a workforce agency that oversees unemployment insurance, labor market information, and rapid response services for laid-off workers. Registered Apprenticeship programs pay workers while they train for skilled trades (electrician, plumber, HVAC, heavy equipment, and increasingly healthcare and IT). For formerly incarcerated fathers, state Department of Labor reentry programs and organizations like the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provide transitional jobs and placement. This directory includes AJCs, workforce boards, apprenticeship programs, and reentry services.

Job & Career in Ohio

Ohio has dedicated Domestic Relations Courts and Juvenile Courts (which handle paternity and unmarried-parent custody) in most counties. The Office of Child Support operates under JFS. Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Akron anchor the major metros. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, and Community Legal Aid cover the state.

18 Resources

1. OhioMeansJobs — Free

Ohio's statewide workforce development system connecting job seekers with employers, career counseling, skills training programs, and unemployment insurance resources across all 88 counties. Call 1-888-296-7541 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit ohiomeansjobs.ohio.gov. Local OhioMeansJobs career centers operate in every Ohio county — walk in or schedule an appointment. Free services include resume help, job matching, interview prep, and access to training scholarship funds.

1-888-296-7541 · Online + local centers in every county · Online 24/7; centers Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. OhioMeansJobs Columbus-Franklin County — Free

Local OhioMeansJobs workforce center providing free job search assistance, resume writing help, career coaching, skills assessments, employer connections, and referrals to training programs for Franklin County and Columbus-area residents. Call 614-559-5052 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or email info@omjcfc.org. Visit omjcfc.org. Located at 1111 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43205. Walk-ins welcome. Bring photo ID, Social Security card, and employment history to your first visit.

614-559-5052 · 1111 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43205 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. OhioMeansJobs Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) — Free

Workforce development center for Cleveland-area and Cuyahoga County residents offering free job placement assistance, career training referrals, interview preparation, resume help, and connections to employers. Call 216-664-4673 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Located at 1910 Carnegie Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115. Walk-ins welcome during business hours. Bring photo ID, Social Security card, and resume if you have one — staff can also help build your resume from scratch.

216-664-4673 · 1910 Carnegie Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

4. Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - Unemployment — Free

Administers Ohio's unemployment insurance program for workers who have lost their jobs. File claims online, check payment status, and access reemployment services through the state portal at unemployment.ohio.gov. Call 1-877-644-6562 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm for help with claims. File your weekly certification to continue receiving benefits. Bring your employment history, Social Security number, and bank account information when filing your initial claim.

1-877-644-6562 · 30 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215 · Online 24/7; phone Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Goodwill Columbus — Free

Provides free job training, career services, and employment placement for Columbus-area residents through its retail and social service operations. Offers computer literacy classes, resume building, interview preparation, and workforce skills development for job seekers facing barriers to employment. Call 614-294-5181 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. Located at 124 E Main St, Columbus. Visit goodwillcolumbus.org for program details and to schedule a free career services appointment.

614-294-5181 · 124 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland — Free

Workforce development services for Cleveland-area and Northeast Ohio residents seeking employment, including job skills training, placement assistance, career counseling, and supportive services addressing barriers to work. Call 216-431-3300 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit goodwillgoodskills.org for program details. Located at 408 Ninth St SW, Canton, OH 44707. Free services available for qualifying individuals — bring photo ID and employment history to your first appointment.

216-431-3300 · 408 Ninth St SW, Canton, OH 44707 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Towards Employment (Cleveland) — Free

Nonprofit workforce development organization helping Cleveland-area residents overcome barriers to employment through job training, direct employer placement, and long-term retention support. Specializes in serving adults who face significant challenges entering the workforce. Call 216-696-5750 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm or visit towardsemployment.org. Located at 1255 Euclid Ave, Suite 300, Cleveland, OH 44115. Free services — bring photo ID and work history to your first appointment.

216-696-5750 · 1255 Euclid Ave, Suite 300, Cleveland, OH 44115 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Cincinnati Works — Free

Member-based workforce development nonprofit helping low-income Cincinnati residents find and maintain employment through individualized career coaching, skills training, and long-term retention support. Members receive ongoing guidance even after job placement. Call 513-744-9675 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm or visit cincinnatiworks.org. Located at 706 Central Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Free for qualifying members — bring photo ID and employment history to your enrollment appointment.

513-744-9675 · 706 Central Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45202 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

9. National Able Network - Ohio — Free

Helps older workers and adults overcome employment barriers through job search assistance, skills training, and connections to hiring employers. Specializes in serving workers 55 and older through the SCSEP subsidized employment program, plus general workforce services for adults of all ages. Call 312-994-4100 or visit nationalable.org. Serves multiple Ohio communities. Free services — bring photo ID and employment history to your first appointment.

312-994-4100 · Multiple Ohio locations · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

10. OhioMeansJobs Hamilton County (Cincinnati) — Free

Free career center for Cincinnati-area and Hamilton County job seekers offering resume writing help, career coaching, Pell and training funding referrals, and direct connections to local employers. Call 513-946-7500 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit hcjfs.org. Located at 1916 Central Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45214. Walk-ins welcome. Bring photo ID, Social Security card, and your current resume — staff can help you build one if needed.

513-946-7500 · 1916 Central Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45214 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. OhioMeansJobs Summit County (Akron) — Free

Free career center for Akron-area and Summit County residents offering job search assistance, resume writing help, skills training referrals, and employer job fair events. Call 330-643-8200 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Located at 1040 E Tallmadge Ave, Akron, OH 44310. Walk-ins welcome during business hours. Bring photo ID, Social Security card, and employment history. Training funds may be available for eligible residents pursuing in-demand careers.

330-643-8200 · 1040 E Tallmadge Ave, Akron, OH 44310 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

12. OhioMeansJobs Montgomery County (Dayton) — Free

Free career services for Dayton-area and Montgomery County job seekers including job search assistance, resume help, skills training referrals, and career development coaching. Call 937-225-5627 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit thejobcenter.org. Located at 1111 S Edwin C Moses Blvd, Dayton, OH 45422. Walk-ins welcome. Bring photo ID, Social Security card, and employment history. Training funds may be available for qualifying residents.

937-225-5627 · 1111 S Edwin C Moses Blvd, Dayton, OH 45422 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Year Up – Cleveland — Free

Free one-year career program for young adults ages 18-29 in Cleveland combining six months of technical skills training in IT and other fields with a six-month paid corporate internship. Participants receive a stipend, professional mentoring, and job placement support. Call 857-284-6200 or visit yearup.org to learn about enrollment. Program is full-time and competitive — apply early as cohort spots are limited each cycle in Cleveland.

857-284-6200 · Cleveland, OH · Full-time program · Visit Website

14. SCORE Ohio – Free Business Mentoring — Free

Free business mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs and retired executives through SCORE chapters in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron, Toledo, and other Ohio cities. One-on-one mentoring sessions available in person and online. Call 800-634-0245 or visit score.org to find your nearest Ohio chapter and schedule a free confidential mentoring appointment. Bring your business plan, financial statements, or specific questions to the session.

800-634-0245 · Multiple OH chapters · By appointment · Visit Website

15. SBA Ohio District Offices — Free

Small Business Administration district offices in Columbus and Cleveland providing free business counseling, SBA loan program information, and small business development resources for Ohio entrepreneurs. Call 614-469-6860 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm or visit sba.gov. Columbus office: 2 Nationwide Plaza, Suite 1400. Bring your business plan and financial statements when meeting with an SBA advisor about loan eligibility and startup resources.

614-469-6860 · Columbus and Cleveland offices · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

16. Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) – Ohio — Free

Free transitional employment program for people with recent criminal records in Ohio. Provides immediate paid work assignments, job coaching, résumé building, and employment placement assistance to help individuals reenter the workforce. Visit ceoworks.org to find current Ohio locations and enrollment information. Call Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Day labor work assignments begin quickly after enrollment — bring photo ID and Social Security card.

Ohio locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

17. SNAP Employment & Training – Ohio — Free

Free employment and training services for Ohio SNAP recipients including job search assistance, vocational skills training, and career support delivered through county Job and Family Services offices statewide. Call 866-244-0071 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit jfs.ohio.gov to find your county office. Bring your SNAP card, photo ID, and Social Security card to enroll. Participation may be required for able-bodied adults without dependents receiving SNAP.

866-244-0071 · Through county JFS offices · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

18. Federal Bonding Program – Ohio — Free

Free fidelity bonds for Ohio job seekers who face barriers to employment due to criminal records, addiction history, poor credit, or dishonorable discharge. Bonds cover the employer for the first six months of employment and remove a common hiring barrier. Available through OhioMeansJobs centers. Call 888-296-7541 or visit your nearest OhioMeansJobs office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm to apply. No cost to job seekers — bring photo ID and job offer if available.

888-296-7541 · Through OhioMeansJobs centers · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Job & Career — Common Questions

What is an American Job Center?: Free walk-in career center funded by the US Department of Labor. Services include job search help, resume writing, interview practice, computer access, WIOA training grants, and direct employer connections. Nearly 2,400 centers nationwide — find yours at careeronestop.org.
Can I get help if I have a record?: Yes. Many states have reentry employment programs; the Center for Employment Opportunities runs transitional jobs in 30+ cities. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit incentivizes employers to hire formerly-incarcerated workers. Fair Chance laws in many states restrict early background checks.
What's an apprenticeship?: Paid on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction leading to a journey-level credential. Common in trades (electrician, plumber, carpenter, HVAC) but expanding into healthcare, IT, and finance. Earn while you learn — no student debt. Find programs at apprenticeship.gov.
What if I'm on unemployment?: You likely qualify for free reemployment services through your American Job Center and for WIOA-funded training while receiving benefits. Dislocated worker services are priority for anyone laid off — including severance, retraining, and relocation support.