Workforce Development Week designated         

Office hosts employer and job seeker events

[AUG. 25, 2006]  The House of Representatives of the 94th General Assembly of the state of Illinois designated the week of Aug. 27 as Workforce Development Week. In a similar action, the county boards for Cass, Christian, Logan, Menard and Sangamon counties recently passed resolutions designating the week to show support for development of the work force in their counties.

The work force development system offers a broad range of services to employers and job seekers and is delivered through partnerships with education, community and local government. At Illinois Employment and Training Centers throughout the area, work force services can be accessed in person or virtually through the Internet. Services are designed to equip citizens with skills needed in the workplace and supply businesses with qualified workers.

To celebrate the week, numerous events showcasing the variety of services are planned at the Illinois Employment and Training Center at 1300 S. Ninth St. in Springfield. On Tuesday, employer services will kick off the week with a continental breakfast and networking, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Employer presentations will include "Illinois TaxNet" and the "Top Ten Ways to Handle an Unemployment Claim." On Wednesday, Career Day presentations will focus on health care careers for the future, hospitality and tourism, and the transportation and trucking industry. Lincoln Land Community College and local employers will share career and employment information. Customer Appreciation Day is Thursday, and the entire day will focus on the job seeker. Activities include a job seeker services fair sponsored by the work force partners, a demonstration of assistive technology at the center, "How to Conduct an Internet Job Search," "Resources for Veterans" and "How to Market Yourself at a Job Fair."

Work force partners participating in these events are the Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland, Capitol Area Career Center, Cass County Assistance Center, Christian County IETC, Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Office of Rehabilitation Services, Job Corps, Land of Lincoln Consortium, Lawrence Education Center, Lincoln Land Community College, Logan County IETC, Menard County Community Services, Sangamon County Community Resources and Springfield Housing Authority.

"Illinois Workforce Development Week recognizes the value of local decision-making, which is key to our future work force," said Sue Dey, chair of the Land of Lincoln Workforce Investment Board. The board oversees the local work force system for the five counties and is comprised of a majority of business leaders. Local elected officials, educators, business and economic development professionals partner together to ensure that services and programs provide personal prosperity for citizens and economic security for the area. Together, they provide the cornerstone of the work force development system.

Logan County Workforce Investment Board members are Patti Becker of Eaton; Frank Shepke, St. Clara's Manor; Wayne Conrady, Big Oak Hunting Paradise; Matthew Grieme, Big R; and Angela Stoltzenburg, CIEDC. Paul Gleason is the chief executive officer.

[Land of Lincoln Workforce Investment Board news release]