[share] A “ready” workforce is critical for business and industry to remain competitive and thrive in the global marketplace. That’s why Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, have taken significant steps to invest in the region’s workforce for today and for the future.

Adams County Works

Career Guidance – Prepare youth to enter the workforce.

Work Readiness – Connect the willing to work.

Transition Planning – Advance current workers.

These are the 3 focus areas of Adams County WORKS, a concentrated and strategic workforce development effort that began in 2013. Representatives from business, education, social services and economic development are identifying and overcoming barriers to employment to meet your future workforce needs.  

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Building for Quincy

On November 4, 2014, the citizens of Quincy passed a historic $89 million dollar referendum to build 5 new elementary schools, build an addition to Quincy Senior High School and make technology improvements throughout the district. A strong school system is essential to a thriving community and its ability to produce tomorrow’s workforce.

In the words of Qui ncy inventor Parker Gates, “Let’s provide the slap on the back, the encouragement, the education, the money, and prove to our young people that our faith in them is not just their tomorrow… but Quincy’s tomorrow, too.”

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The Quincy Promise

The Quincy Promise is a four-year pilot program led by the City of Quincy to promote career, technical, health and workforce education for graduates of Quincy’s high schools
beginning in the 2015/2016 academic year.

It will provide two years of FREE tuition for students who pursue specific programs at John Wood Community College that lead to careers that are in high demand by employers in the area. The program is funded privately by local industries that realize the critical need for a future workforce.

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The QU Trust

The QU Trust scholarship program gives high schools students an opportunity to start earning micro-scholarships for their academic progress and educational accomplishments throughout high school, starting as early as ninth grade.

Thanks to a partnership with raise.me, students can earn up to $40,000 in scholarships for a broad range of achievements each semester, such as improving their GPA, serving in their community or taking a leadership role.

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The Quincy Entrepreneurship Center at GREDF, in collaboration with several Quincy area organizations, is hosting an informational event for current and aspiring entrepreneurs on Saturday, August 9th. The 2nd Annual Entrepreneurship Expo will take place in the Quincy Mall Community Room from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The Expo is free and open to the public.

“We wanted to provide a one-stop learning experience for entrepreneurs at any stage of the process,” said Kimm Minnick, property manager for the Quincy Mall. “We worked with our partners to create an action-packed agenda that includes presentations and time for one-on-one interactions and specific questions.”

The day will begin with a Small Business Development Center presentation outlining the steps to starting a business – including the importance of a business plan and cash management.

At noon the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce (QACC) will announce the winner of the 2014 Business Plan Competition.

Lunch will be provided by the Quincy Mall immediately following the QACC announcement. Participants will have an opportunity to network and ask questions during this time. Stations will be set up for specific topics in the areas of financing a small business, marketing and sales, legal and tax issues, and human resources.

According to Charles Bell, director of the Quincy Entrepreneurship Center, planning the event has been a group effort. “When we initiated the event last year we wanted to get a number of organizations involved so current and prospective small business owners would have access to a wide network of local resources in one place,” Bell said. “It was so well received we decided to improve the event and hold it a second year.”

The Entrepreneurial Expo is being coordinated by GREDF in collaboration with the Small Business Development Center, Quincy Mall, Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce, John Wood Community College, Quincy University, The District, Illinois WorkNet Center and the Quincy Business and Technology Center.

In addition to the presentations and small group discussions, packets of information will be available outlining where to go for further assistance, as well as information about local training opportunities and schedules of upcoming entrepreneurship events.

There is no cost to attend, and no RSVP is required. Questions may be directed to Charles Bell at GREDF – 217.223.4313 or charlesb@gredf.org, or any of the participating organizations.