OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission is expanding access to services in targeted communities that do not have workforce offices.
The new Community Outreach Service Model started its first pilot location in north Tulsa in 2022, embedding an OESC staff member inside Oasis Fresh Market for two days a week. Since then the agency has added 10 locations and three more will come online this month.
These 13 new locations are mostly libraries and technology centers, but future growth will likely include partnering more closely with employers the agency serves, OESC officials said.
Original COSM locations include Waurika’s Public Library, 203 S. Meridian St., operating Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon. A new COSM location that opened June 2 is in Anadarko’s Public Library at 215 W. Broadway, operating on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We’re excited about this new model and the reach it will have as we continue establishing new partnerships. Workforce is a team sport, and co-locating enables our staff to customize efforts based on the outcomes we want to see,” said OESC Chief Executive Officer Trae Rahill.
“It should be easier for individuals and companies to do business with us. People don’t always have the means to drive out of town for help, so we figure we’ll go to them. This model builds closer relationships with employers, closer to where staff live, and it does so without adding any agency personnel or real estate expense.”