TACOMA – Ex-offenders searching for work have difficult barriers to overcome, according to Ron Blasco, a Vocational Services manager for Tacoma Goodwill.

Blasco will talk about ways to find success in the employment world in a Jan. 28 presentation starting at 10 a.m. at Tacoma Goodwill’s Workforce Development Center, 714 S. 27th St., in Tacoma. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Workforce Navigator Ambrosia Hand, 253.284.0018 or ahand@tacomagoodwill.org.

“This is an opportunity to set realistic employment goals and be up front about what ‘red flags’ employers might find on applications,” said Blasco. “While this is focused on ex-offenders, it’s really open to anyone who’s a job hunter.”

Blasco, with Program Manager Patsy Jordan, will discuss tips on ways to work cooperatively with vocational rehabilitation counselors. Tacoma Goodwill has operated a job-placement program for ex-offenders for more than three years based in its Longview Workforce Development office. In 2007, there were 203 participants and all but 16 were placed in jobs.