Submitted by Amee Albrecht
January 1-March 31, 2011
221 N. Main Street, Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-4161
www.aworkforce.org
2011 Labor Law Update Workshop
The 2011 Labor Law Update at the Modoc Employment Center was held on January 20, 2011. Nineteen employers from throughout Modoc County attended the popular annual workshop, where Alliance For Workforce Development, Inc., Executive Director Traci Holt, PHR filled them in on the latest changes to California employment law. Some of the topics covered included revised heat illness regulations, updated workers compensation posting and regulation changes, & wage claim appeal: bond requirements. Traci also provided information on required postings and notices. She covered information on which laws apply to your business. The workshop was very well received and Modoc County businesses are very thankful to have this local workshop to help them stay up to date on the latest labor laws.
2011 Labor Law Update Workshop |
Submitted by: Amee Albrecht
AFWD Awarded USDA Grant
AFWD was recently awarded a grant from the USDA Rural Microenterprise Assistance Program (RMAP) to provide technical assistance to rural micro entrepreneurs. There were only 35 applicants funded for this grant across the nation so we are very excited about this opportunity. In December of 2009 we hosted a series of Business workshops to provided technical assistance and entrepreneurial training to local businesses. Our commitment to these businesses was that we would continue to seek funding to conduct additional one-on-one business coaching and mentoring. This grant will do just that. We have a series of workshops as well as one-on-one mentoring that will be available over the next several months. We also have partnered with the local chambers, local newspapers, and Modoc Economic Development Cooperation on a buy local campaign that is currently under way. We have over 50 businesses throughout the county participating in the Buy Local Poker Run. The Buy Local Poker Run encourages people to shop local. When someone makes a purchase of $20 or more at a participating business they receive a poker card in a sealed envelope. They continue to shop local and collect as many cards as they can to increase their chances for the best poker hand. The winners will bring their poker cards to the Home Show on April 30th and the winners will be announced.
Buy Local Poker Run Flyer |
Submitted by: Amee Albrecht
CNA Program
Modoc Medical Center
In
early February we met with the Director of Staff Development from Modoc
Medical Center to discuss a partnership in helping individuals to successfully
complete CNA training. Modoc Medical Center had the training set up
and was ready to recruit for the training. Modoc Employment Center staff
assisted with this recruitment and also referred individuals from our
applicant pool. Ten applicants were successful in being accepted into
the training. We have been working with the individuals selected to
make sure that they have all the necessary tools they need to successfully
complete this program. We will continue to work together to provide
assistance with this training program as well as future training programs.
Modoc Medical Center |
Submitted by: Amee Albrecht
USDA Rural Development Forum
Jobs, Economic Development, and Sustainable Communities
USDA
Rural Development and North Cal-Neva RC&D Council hosted an open
forum to discuss economic development issues in Modoc County. The forum
was held on Monday, March 21st, 2011 at the Alturas City Hall. This
forum focused on activities and initiatives that have resulted from
USDA Rural Development’s Jobs, Economic Development, and Sustainable
Communities report. This report was compiled based on input provided
by community leaders, citizens, business owners, and organizations from
throughout rural California. Glenda Humiston, State Director, gave an
overview to a packed room of the broad array of support that her department
offers. These items covered included: funding for business and cooperative
development, community facilities, water & sewer systems, single
& multi-family housing; loans, guaranteed loans, & grants; technical
assistance; staff support for applicants.
For a copy
of USDA Rural Development’s report click the link: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Reports/CA-JobsReport-Feb10.pdf
Glenda Humiston USDA State Director |
Submitted by: Amee Albrecht
2011 Career Expo
County job seekers and employers met face-to-face on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 during the 2011 Modoc County Career Expo. About 60 Modoc County job seekers were able to access one-stop shopping for a new job. Employers were on hand to collect resumes and applications, provide information on job openings, and conduct on-the-spot interviews. Employers that attended the Career Expo were: Subway, Modoc Medical Center, IXL Ranch, CalPines Lodge, Antonios, US Bank, USDA Farm Service Agency, and The City of Alturas. Colleges that provided information for interested job seekers were: Shasta College and Butte-Glen Community College. This years Career Expo was held at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Alturas.
2011 Job Expo |
Submitted by: Amee Albrecht
Business Services Team Training
Alliance
For Workforce Development, Inc., (AFWD) Human Resource Consultants and
management staff from Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra participated in
a two-day resource development training held at Lassen Career Network
in Susanville. Experts from Chabin Concepts mentored the group in subjects
including economic development, workforce development, current projects
and activities, challenges, opportunities, and trends.
Sarah Murley from Applied Economics provided training on Custom Economic
& Revenue Impact software. AFWD’s staff is excited to be able
to offer local business this resource as an assessment for their business’
bottom line and the impact they have in the business communities. Another
resource being implemented in all four counties is the Executive Pulse
program. This computer tracking program is a valuable resource for AFWD
to record the needs and requests from our business communities, provide
services and shared resources in our counties, and keep the communication
lines of both the businesses and staff connected.
Chabin Concepts-Vicki Doll & Audrey Taylor |
AFWD Staff Training |
New One Stop Receptionist
Jenna Warren
Jenna Warren joined our team on February 16th, 2011. She moved to Alturas from Grass Valley, CA and has lived in Alturas for seven years. She brings with her many years of customer service experience. Jenna came to our office looking for a position with steady hours and a dependable schedule so she could better provide for her family including her young son. She was enrolled in the WIA program for job search. Jenna enjoys working with the public working and in the office with her new co-workers. Jenna is looking forward to continuing to serve the public and learn more about her new position with AFWD, Inc.
Success Story
Martin Mendoza
Martin came into our office and was looking for work. He had been self-employed
but due to the economic conditions needed to find additional employment.
He was enrolled in the adult program. He participated in the ARRA internship
program where he worked as at Modoc County Public Works as a building
and grounds maintenance person. He was a very determined client who checked
with the job board weekly, and any jobs that he was referred to he immediately
applied for. He met with his CCA on a consistent basis to keep up to date
and was an extremely active participant in our program. After all his
hard work he found a full-time position as an agriculture aide for the
California Food and Ag Department. Congratulations Martin!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
For more information on upcoming events & workshop visit:
http://www.afwdhr.org/id3.html
April 6th - FTC Workshop on Project Management
May 12th- Business Marketing/Advertising Workshop
May 25th-FTC Workshop on Caltrans DBE Certification
May 26th- Business Planning/Financial Analysis Workshop
June 30th- Website Development Workshop