The Workforce Board of Northern Cook Couty administers the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program in Northern Cook County - a program that has demonstrated its success in helping unemployed individuals obtain employment. Last year over 8 million jobseekers used the workforce system, supported largely with WIA funding, and over 4.3 million got jobs while others received education and training to prepare them for new careers. The WIA program continues to place people in employment even at a time when jobs openings are incredibly hard to find - 4.5 job seekers for every 1 job opening - and with a national unemployment rate of 9.5% for the past eighteen months. Read more about the services and programs delivered in Northern Cook County.
Manufacturing boasts up to 74,000 jobs in northern Cook County and yet too few young adults are knowledgeable about the industry, career opportunities and the potential for high paying earnings. The Workforce Board of Northern Cook County is funding the Manufacturing Careers Internship Program to expose youth to the world of manufacturing and opportunities. The first group of youth interns and participating employers were recently recognized at an event hosted and sponsored by Sandvik Coromant - Read more about the event, including the youth interns and participating manufacturers. Click here for a program description. Contact David Limon dlimon@workforceboard.org to get involved.
The Workforce Board received an On the Job Training Grant from the Illionis Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to assist manufactuers in addressing the skills gap between today's jobs and new hires through an On-the-Job Training Program. This program works directly with Manufacturers who are ready to hire and recognize that many newly-created jobs require updated and realigned skills and are turning to the On-the-Job Training Program as a central training strategy for the long term unemployed. The On-the-Job Training Program delivers a structured program that teaches and reinforces required job skills for up to six months and provides for a wage subsidy during the training period. Contact Joe Haag jhaag@workforceboard.org to learn more.
The Workforce Board of Northern Cook County has released the final version of the Workforce Analysis Report. The report concentrates on the geographic area of north and northwest suburban cook county and has identified key industry sectors that are a strong fit in the economic growth of the area: Manufacturing, Transportation, Distribution and Logistics, Healthcare, and Professional Services. The report is organized in such a way that allows the reader to receive an overview of the economy, an understanding as to how critical the targeted industries are to the local economy and an analysis of the immediate and ongoing education and skills gap in the related occupations. The report goes on to provide applications to address the skill gaps through mapping out critical knowledge, skills and abilities by occupation; identifying best practices and pulling in sound input from employers and educators.
Workforce Analysis Executive Summary
Click here to be directed to the Workforce Analysis Report web page.
Contact Jennifer Stasch jstasch@workforceboard.org to receive a copy of the report.
The Workforce Board and the Evanston Public Library have partnered to bring workNet Services to the residents of Evanston and surrounding communities. The workNet Center offers career coaching, computer workshops, computers for job search, job readiness workshops, job postings and individual assistance. Visit the workNet website for more information.
There are four job seekers to every job vacancy and over 13.9 million unemployed in the worst recession that the U.S. has seen in generations. And it is the publically funded workforce system, led by over 550 workforce boards nationwide, that is giving millions of unemployed the tools to reenter the workforce - despite what critics are saying. Read the response prepared by The National Association of Workforce Boards highlighting the successes and progress of the workforce systems across the nation.
Economic Development is a critical partner to the workforce development system. The Workforce Board recognizes this important partnership and has created a forum to better engage the economic development community in local industry sector strategies and workforce discussions. On April 15, 2011, key workforce and economic development players throughout Northern Cook County came together for a facilitated conversation on what each system brings to the local communities, what obstacles each system faces individually and collectively; and to discuss how each system can better collaborate on shared issues around the needs of local employers and strengthening community relations. The dialogue was facilitated by CAEL (copy of the day's presentation) with continued dialogues focusing on the day's outcome as summarized in the report: Workforce and Economic Development Collaboration in Northern Cook County: A Review of Recommendations and Best Practices.
The Healthcare Industry in Northern Cook County has reported close to 13,000 jobs being added in the past eight years. The labor market projections show that the equivalent of these jobs will be added through 2015. Education and training investments focused on the growing industries and the high demand and high wage occupations is a priority of the Workforce Board. The Workforce Board can talk about it and provide the relevant statistics to support the investments but it the individuals who are served through the programs who are the real story tellers of the data. Meet four youth who have all been successful in meeting challenges and progressing along a healthcare career pathway.
To compete in today's job market, it is essential to acquire the right skills, preparation and access to information. The Illinois workNet Centers in Northern Cook County bring these essential components together. Whether you are unemployed, laid off or looking for a different career path, visit an Illinois workNet Center for all your employment and career development needs.
The Workforce Boards of Metropolitan Chicago will administer programs supported with $1,080,000 in competitive Department of Health and Human Services grant funds. The Health Profession Opportunity for TANF Recipients and Other Low Income Individuals grant is designed to provide individuals with the education and training needed for high demand careers in the healthcare sector. The grant is for a one year period with funding for an additional four years contingent on performance. Through this grant, the Workforce Board will be working with Jewish Vocational Services to deliver a pharmacy tech bridge program to eligible individuals in northern Cook County.
WIA Works Illinois. The Workforce Investment Act (WIA), a critical piece of legislation that provides the framework for our national workforce preparation and employment system is pending reauthorization in 2010. DCEO and the Illinois Workforce Partnership have established a position on what should be included in the reauthorization to ensure legislation represents the best interests of Illinois businesses and job seekers, including dislocated workers, those seeking pathways out of poverty, youth preparing to enter the workforce, and persons seeking skills and job opportunities.
Community College Partnerships
The Workforce Boards of Metropolitan Chicago
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
National Association of Workforce Boards
