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The Adams County Workforce Initiative began in April 2013 when more than 40 area leaders gathered to discuss workforce issues and create a platform for continued collaboration. Several key issues were identified during the April meeting and three teams were established to address the most critical of those issues.

Career Guidance Team: Working with businesses to convey to individuals the career opportunities and earning potential available in the Adams County region
Work Readiness Team: Developing work-ready citizens to become successful, productive members of the regional workforce
Succession Planning Team: Ensuring that as workers retire, the knowledge of those retirees stays with local companies and within the community

All three groups have been meeting regularly and as a result of those meetings have developed missions and goals specific to their area of workforce development. In this installment, let’s focus on Career Guidance.

Career Guidance Team

MISSION: Encourage, Educate & Connect
Encourage and foster awareness of careers; educate youth and job seekers about area career opportunities; build connections between families and local employers

Activities of the Career Guidance Team include:

• Conducted survey of junior high and high school principals to assess career guidance opportunities and gaps in Adams County schools
• Conducted “Career Roadshow” pilot project at Central (Camp Point) Freshmen Orientation night, March 13, 2014
• Planning a second Career Roadshow for Spring 2015
• Conducted a meeting with Adams County school counselors to develop an implementation plan for career guidance activities 
• Hosted a joint meeting with the Work Readiness team to share both teams’ plans

The Adams County Workforce Initiative is being guided by a steering committee consisting of representatives from the Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois, John Wood Community College, United Way of Adams County, Quincy University, West Central Region Education for Employment System #240, Quincy Public Schools, Vatterott College and the Great River Economic Development Foundation. Individuals interested in becoming a member of one of the workforce teams should contact Angela Caldwell at 217.223.4313 or caldwella@gredf.org. 

FREE 16-Week Training Session Starts August 26

[share]John Wood Community College will offer a free 16-week manufacturing training starting August 26 at its Workforce Development Center at 4220 Kochs Lane in Quincy.

The training is focused on helping participants gain qualifications for entry level manufacturing jobs, which are in high demand regionally.

The program will provide an overview of the machining and manufacturing process from start to finish. Students will be introduced to a variety of skills in the planning, machining and finishing of metal products and develop skills in the use of hand tools, drill press, band saw, engine lathe, vertical milling machine and related equipment.

Individuals can complete GED requirements while in training and females are encouraged to apply.

The free program is funded by a grant JWCC received from the United States Department of Labor to help produce qualified, skilled employees for manufacturing positions.

More information is available by contacting JWCC at 217- 641-4941 or by visiting www.manufacturingourfuture.org. Interested individuals may also visit JWCC’s Career Readiness Center to learn more and apply.

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Counselors Academy Exposes Educators to Manufacturing Career Paths

School counselors from around the region now have a bigger toolbox thanks to a partnership among the Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois, Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center, John Wood Community College and GREDF. The counselors spent last Thursday learning how they can help their students succeed in the area’s thriving manufacturing sector.

The message from local manufacturing representatives and workforce experts who met with the counselors during the day-long academy was clear: There are good, well-paying jobs right here in our region if our young adults are willing to show up, receive training and work hard.

The overall theme of the day was “Manufacturing in the 21st Century”. Members of an Employers Panel which included Jennifer Jenkins of Archer Daniels Midland, Vic Luburich of Fitzpatrick Brothers, Inc., Mike Dailing of Knapheide Manufacturing Company and Julie Bonansinga of Snelling Personnel Services/Industrial Workforce covered the following information:

• Variety of manufacturing jobs available / What areas are growing?
• Skills needed for those jobs / What do you look for when you are hiring?
• What prospective employees should expect / What is the work environment like?

Participants also went on a driving tour of some of Quincy’s Business Parks hosted by Megan Backs of GREDF and toured the manufacturing facilities of Hollister-Whitney Elevator Corporation.

An educated and skilled workforce is the foundation of every community and future of every economy. Thanks to these partners for their commitment to educating and growing our current and future workforce.

[share]

Counselors Academy Exposes Educators to Manufacturing Career Paths

School counselors from around the region now have a bigger toolbox thanks to a partnership among the Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois, Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center, John Wood Community College and GREDF. The counselors spent last Thursday learning how they can help their students succeed in the area’s thriving manufacturing sector.

The message from local manufacturing representatives and workforce experts who met with the counselors during the day-long academy was clear: There are good, well-paying jobs right here in our region if our young adults are willing to show up, receive training and work hard.

The overall theme of the day was “Manufacturing in the 21st Century”. Members of an Employers Panel which included Jennifer Jenkins of Archer Daniels Midland, Vic Luburich of Fitzpatrick Brothers, Inc., Mike Dailing of Knapheide Manufacturing Company and Julie Bonansinga of Snelling Personnel Services/Industrial Workforce covered the following information:

• Variety of manufacturing jobs available / What areas are growing?
• Skills needed for those jobs / What do you look for when you are hiring?
• What prospective employees should expect / What is the work environment like?

Participants also went on a driving tour of some of Quincy’s Business Parks hosted by Megan Backs of GREDF and toured the manufacturing facilities of Hollister-Whitney Elevator Corporation.

An educated and skilled workforce is the foundation of every community and future of every economy. Thanks to these partners for their commitment to educating and growing our current and future workforce.