Modoc County job seekers and employers met face-to-face on Saturday, April 29 during Modoc Job Expo 2006. Approximately 75 Modoc County job seekers were able to access one-stop shopping for a new job. Eighteen employers were on hand to collect resumes and applications, provide information on job openings, and conduct on-the-spot interviews. Employers ranged from food service and retail businesses to government agencies such as Modoc National Forest and the California Highway Patrol. This year’s Job Expo was held in a new venue, at the Veteran’s Memorial Hall in Alturas.

 

Taking advantage of the expertise of one of AFWD’s internal HR Consultants, Modoc Employment Center featured a seminar on Workplace Safety, provided by Lassen HR Consultant Holly Schirmer. The seminar was held on April 14, 2006 and was attended by six employers. Holly’s interactive presentation covered the history of Cal-OSHA and workplace safety laws, steps to creating an effective workplace safety program, and an overview of Worker’s Compensation.

Each participant received a toolkit to create their own workplace safety program. The toolkit included a guide to developing an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), sample IIPP, employee safety training documentation, and an injury and illness investigation form.

Mary Pray with the Department of Social Services echoed other attendee’s comments, saying she appreciated the workshop, especially the opportunity to have questions answered about how to create a culture of safety in the workplace.

Labor and Employment Law Attorney Mark Vegh presented another popular seminar to employers in Modoc County on April 20, 2006. Approximately 12 employers were on hand to learn about legal discipline and termination procedures.

Vegh discussed how employers can protect themselves from accidentally forming an implied contract with their employees, he explained the correct use of discipline and documentation, and he provided tips on how to prevent discipline and termination problems.

“More cases are won and lost due to documentation than any other factor,” Vegh told the audience. He explained that good documentation is not only a vital tool for legal protection, it can also play an important role in maximizing employee communication. Earlier this spring, Vegh presented a workshop on Wage and Hour Law.

 

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Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. provided a high-demand workshop on May 15, 2006 with its Web Site Design class. NoRTEC’s Scott Shafer made the trek to Alturas to help eight attendees get started on building their own web sites. Participants ranged from a county supervisor to a local gift shop to the Modoc District Fair.

At this time, three of the participants have posted their web sites online. We will provide addresses to the other web sites as those sites are posted. Meanwhile, check out these links!

www.modocfair.com
www.supervisormikedunn.com
www.deforestlivestock.com

 

 

AFWD Customer Service trainer Laurie Wann presented the first of what will hopefully be a series of customized customer service workshops to 25 employees of Modoc Medical Center (MMC) on May 23, 2006. The county-run hospital has been working hard to improve its public image in recent months, and one tactic the hospital administration is focusing on is delivering excellent customer service to each guest that enters the Medical Center.

On May 23, 2006, Laurie Wann presented “Super Service Spectacular” to the first wave of MMC employees. The workshop focused on creating “magical moments,” taking care of coworkers as well as customers, and ways to improve communication. A popular feature of the workshop is the FISH video, which encourages participants to have fun at work and enjoy their jobs while making each customer feel special.

Modoc Medical Center management were so pleased with the training that they hope to offer the workshop again in the fall for employees who were not able to make it to the May seminar.

 

AFWD's Laurie Wann introduces the Super Service Spectacular workshop to Modoc Medical Center staff	MMC staff practice greeting each other warmly as part of their customer service training.

 

 

AFWD HR Consultants Holly Schirmer and Sarah DeForest attended a forum on May 31 in Chico on integrating workforce and economic development. The regional forum was sponsored by the California Workforce Association Special Committee on Business and Industry. Audrey Taylor of Chabin Concepts spoke about the importance of workforce factors in corporate location decisions. She was followed by Barry Worthington from the State of California Employment Training Panel, (ETP), who spoke on the streamlined ETP program and how Workforce Investment Boards and employers can access state funds for Incumbent Worker Training.

Kathy Schmitz from Tehama County’s Job Training Services and Business One Stop Services, and Claudia Martin with Tehama Local Development Corporation, showcased the partnership they have developed in Tehama County, effectively integrating workforce development with economic development.

The final presenters were Mike Roessler and Linda L. Zorn, MA, RD, FAWHP, from the California Community Colleges Panel. They provided an overview of the California Community Colleges Economic and Workforce Development initiatives.

The forum was attended by professionals in both workforce development and economic development in the Northern California region.

 

 

The Modoc Employment Center Staff has seen some changes in the month of June. Receptionist Mary Martin was promoted to Service Coordinator and will be working closely with Employment Specialist Sherri Tice to enroll job seekers in Workforce Investment Act services, as well as helping coordinate workshops and other job seeker services. Mary has proven to be an effective member of the Modoc team during her time as receptionist, and she is looking forward to her new role as Service Coordinator.

Meanwhile, Lina Isiordia was hired to replace Mary as One-Stop Receptionist. Lina is a newcomer to Modoc County, having recently relocated from Woodburn, Oregon. Lina has an extensive background in customer service and administrative support. She is a welcome addition to the MEC staff.

MEC's New Receptionist, Lina Isiordia

 

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The AFWD HR Team met on Wednesday July 28, 2006 to review the past year and plan for 2006/07. One topic of discussion was to outline the workshops that will be offered in the coming year. The following is a tentative list of workshops that will be offered in Modoc County. Dates and times have yet to be confirmed.

 

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UPCOMING EVENTS

 

July 10 - SBDC Small Business Counseling

July 18 - Modoc Economic Vitality Meeting

August 15 - Modoc Economic Vitality Meeting

September 19 - Modoc Economic Vitality Meeting