Submitted by Ken Cordrey
Modoc Employment Center
221 N. Main Street, Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-4161
www.aworkforce.org
Business Services - Pathways to Success
The Modoc Employment Center will be hosting and presenting a series of monthly Workshops during 2005. These Workshops will cover topics such as: Labor Law, Worker's Compensation, Employee Handbook Basics, How to Keep Good Employees and other topics relevant to businesses in Modoc County. These Workshops are primarily intended for small businesses but will be open to all.
An initial meeting was held in Alturas mid-November, followed by contacts with local businesses to present a questionaire. The goal was to establish the topics of greatest interest to local businesses and to identify when each of the meetings will be held. Based on the results of the survey and discussions with business owners, we set up a schedule for ten workshops during 2005.
The First meeting, on the topic of Labor Law, is to be held January 19, at our Modoc Employment Center facility. We will hold another Workshop each month, except in August and December.
Information of this subject, including a list of Workshop topics and a schedule can be obtained by phoning the Modoc Employment Center at 530-233-4161.
National Customer Service Week
Working with Plumas Bank,
AFWD celebrated National Customer Service Week from October 4 through 8, 2004.
To recognize and highlight the importance of Customer Service in our businesses, AFWD and Plumas Bank offered no-fee training in customer service specialities, intended to benefit business owners. These fun and informative workshops were offered in Alturas, Susanville and Quincy during that week, giving attendees practical ideas and tips for renewing employee attitudes, reducing frustrations and enjoying their work.
Modoc Employment Center Update
During the fourth quarter of 2004, we had considerable activity in the MEC office, with job seekers and businesses interested in obtaining information and assistance..
We offer program services for Adults, Dislocated Workers, Rapid Response (when businesses lay off employees) and Adults on Low Income. We believe that when individuals go through our programs and demonstrate they are Job Ready, they are an asset to local businesses. They bring current skills and positive attitudes.
During the 4th quarter of 2004, three individuals in our programs were hired to work at our MEC office. They have already proven that our programs help generate opportunities and provide individuals with a chance to demonstrate they are effective and competent employees.
One of these individuals is now working as our Receptionist, the other two are Service Coordinators - one here at MEC and one at our Quincy office.
The Modoc Employment Center assists the Employment Development Department and the Modoc County Social Services (both are Partner agencies), with CalJOBS registration and with Unemployment Insurance applications.
Meet one of our Success Story personalities -
Geraldine ....
Geraldine was a Dislocated Worker. She signed up with AFWD and we helped her with the process of deciding on a new career and with the details to obtain proper training to become a Certified Nurse Assistant. She is now working on becoming a Phlebotomist, through classes in Susanville.
We at the Modoc Employment Center wish Geraldine the best of luck with her new goals.
Oregon Department of Corrections
The Oregon Department of Corrections is building a new minimum security Prison in the city of Lakeview, Oregon. Lakeview is about 55 miles North of Alturas, on Highway 395.
A website connection is below, to view information about Lakeview.
Starting in April, 2004 Staff at MEC began receiving enquiries from local residents regarding the new prison under construction in Lakeview. We wanted to offer all the assistance possible to local residents interested in the possibility of work, so in December, arrangements were made with the Manager of Recruitment for the State of Oregon, Department of Corrections to hold an Opportunity Fair at our facility in Alturas.
On December 12, 2004, we hosted the Opportunity Fair at our Modoc Employment Center facility. A series of radio and newspaper ads were run to appraise local residents of the event and location. A total of 15 individuals attended the event and 2 of them were both qualified and interested in continuing to the next step in the process for possible employment.
There will be 146 jobs filled, in 38 job classifications. About half will be Correctional Officers. They will arrange for interview panels for all 38 classifications.
The Prison Superintendent will be hired and in place by March 15, 2005. All admin staff (Managers) to be in place by mid April.
Offers to those selected will be made with July start dates. The first two weeks of employment will be for orientation, to include basics such as rules, code of ethics, etc.
This will be a minimum security prison, for male inmates who are within 3 years of release. They advised it will appear to be closer to military barracks than the traditional idea of prison, with cells, etc.
The first inmates will arrive September 1, 2005, driven in buses from their Wilsonville facitlity. There will be about 425 maximum.
A sketch of the facility is below.
Business Services Plans
Business Services activity during the third quarter included presentations during July with Alturas Rotary Clubs and the Chambers of Commerce for Alturas and Cedarville. This offered a good way in which to update the communities regarding activities and support available from AFWD for local businesses.
Many of the business in Modoc County are small and not able to take on full time Human Resource staff to deal with issues related to recruitment, employee documentation, retention, Worker's Compensation and the many other issues that go along with running a business and hiring employees. AFWD is available to assist with these problems!
These presentations focused on Business Services, much of which is new to the area. These services offer an effective means for assisting local businesses with Human Resources support, whether it be in the form of Customized Recruiting; Customer Service Training; helping to create Employee Handbooks and Job Descriptions or any of many human resource related issues.
HR Solutions For Business
From Labor Law to Employee Handbooks to Position Descriptions and Employment Recruitment!
At each of our three AFWD locations, our HR Consultants are ready to assist local businesses. To learn more about these services, phone Modoc HR Consultant Ken Cordrey at 530-233-4161; Lassen HR Consultants Traci Holt or Holly Schirmer at 530-257-5057; Plumas HR Consultants Laurie Wann or Alisa Marble at 530-283-3933.
Director of Employer Services, Janis Trueblood, may be reached at 530-283-3933, Ext 17.
There is a new face in the area: The Modoc Independent News.
They offer an Annual Magazine, filled with information about Modoc County history and activities. Copies of this Magazine are available throughout the area, at local businesses.
The first issue included many great color photos of the area and activities. It also included a variety of interesting articles, such as one about wild mustangs, some of which roam the area East of Cedarville. Other articles are about Alturas, Canby, Cedarville, Davis Creek, Eagleville, Fort Bidwell, Likely and Tulelake/Newell.
In addition, they will also publish a monthly newspaper, with topics of interest to local residents.
The publishers may be contacted at: Modoc Magazine PO Box 126 Cedarville, CA 96104.
Click on the web connection below for the Alturas Chamber of Commerce if you are interested in more information about the action and excitement of Modoc County, Where The West Still Lives!
Check it out! http://www.alturaschamber.org
Upcoming Events!
Workshops to be presented in Modoc County
Labor Law Update - January 19, 2005. Presentation will be from 9:00 to 11:00am
Worker's Comp - February 8, 2005. Presentation will be from 9:00 to 11:00am.
Employee Handbooks - March 8, 2005. Presentation will be from 9:00 to 11:00am.
An additional 7 Workshops will be held at the MEC facility for Modoc County businesses during the year. Additional topics to be covered include: Recruiting Good People; Keeping Good Employees; Marketing Basics for Small Businesses; Making Money in Small Businesses; Employee Motivation: Guest Services and Services Recovery (How to say "No" and keep the customer happy).