Lassen Community Classes Start on January 14!!!

Starting January 14 Modoc Employment Center  Computer Lab will be hosting Lassen Community College Computer Classes. The accredited classes will be offered Mon & Wed Evenings during the spring semester

On Sunday, October 7, Senator Oller and his assistant Dan Dellinger met with a small number of Modoc citizens at the local Black Bear Diner.  The Senator listened to concerns regarding various issues.    A very broad range of topics were respectfully brought to the Senator's attention.  Modoc Board of Supervisor Patricia Cantrall was present and a gracious, energetic representative for the people of Modoc.

"Charting the Course for Economic Vitality"  was the topic for this terrific training presented by the California Association for Local Economic Development.   This event was co-sponsored by Superior California Economic Development District and Alliance for Workforce Development.  Local elected officials, agencies, business partners,  governmental agencies, , and local WIB board members were invited to this fairly intense one-day training held at the Historic Niles Hotel.  The presenters touched  on the basic fundamentals of economic development including  business expansion/retention, workforce development, attraction and creation of new business.  The team shared some "tools" useful to the pursuit of economic vitality. The training also emphasized the importance of planning and identifying strategies to enhance future success.  The evaluations showed this to be an extremely helpful event with excellent reviews.

The first of November proved to be an exciting evening here in Modoc as we enjoyed  our long awaited "open house" celebration.  Many friends and associates stopped by wish us luck in our new location.  The lucky winner of the "Business Basket" was CalWork's Linda Clark.  The MEC staff would like to thank Charles and Terrianne Brown for traveling so far to join us, as well as Executive Director GaryCorderman, Program Manager Nancy Gregg and One-Stop Community & Employer Services Manager Janis Trueblood of AFWD for their support

Nortec's Charlie Brown and WIB member Dwight Beeson

Donna Garcia, Service Coordinator guards the "Business Basket" for the lucky winner

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Owner Seab McDonald and Program Coordinator Julie Miller

AFWD Program Manager Nancy Gregg.

                                

What a wonderful conference!  As my first Konocti experience, this Community Coordinator was impressed with both the quality of information offered in the wide selection of breakout sessions, and the helpful, knowledgeable people who made this conference possible.  With MEC staff being relatively new, Konocti provided us with a great opportunity to meet with new people and exchange information. The resort was extremely beautiful and the food was fantastic.  MEC staff would like to thank all those who worked so hard to put on such a well organized event.

MEC Program Coordinator Julie Miller.

The view from our room.

Plans are in the works for the first Modoc Job Expo, a joint effort with EDD and AFWD.  The expo will take place on Saturday, April 13, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 pm. at the center.  The Expo will host 10 to 12 area employers who will be ready to accept applications and interview potential employees on the spot.  We have had a lot of interest for this type of service from both job-seekers and employers.  An advertising campaign has already started, targeting job-seekers, encouraging them to use our center to test and improve their offices skills.  .  Various applications for the participating employers will be on hand at the center for job-seeker convenience.   It is our hope the Job Expo will become an annual event in Modoc.

"The Group" is meeting once a month at MEC.  The collaborative effort to jumpstart our sagging economic situation  is really the driving force for these meetings.  Attendees represent business, government, education, agencies, county and city government, and AFWD and local WIB board members.  We address current issues, exchange information,  and brainstorm for strategies to assist Modoc in current economic revitalization challenges.  

Modoc Employment Center host an early morning meeting.

Sherri Hughes, Modoc Computer Lab Coordinator, reports that she has had over 200 participants this quarter for computer classes.  The offerings include Basic Word I, II and III; Access, Excel, Power- Point, Publisher, Photoshop, Pagemaker, FrontPage, Career Exploration and general job search assistance.

Sherri is also Modoc Employment Center's Youth Supervisor.  She has created a very inviting learning environment with web page design as a conduit for developing essential computer skills, as well as enhancing creative abilities.   Each student  is developing a portfolio containing their best works.  The students have also created an excellent marketing campaign promoting the AFWD Youth Program.  The staff here at MEC have seen remarkable positive results in the youth participant's confidence levels and an improvement in overall work ethics.  Sherri's guidance and support have indeed resulted in a successful program.  Thank you, Sherrie and AFWD Youth for a job well done.

MEC Computer Lab Coordinator Sherri Hughes.

Many businesses in Modoc have utilized our extensive computer lab to upgrade their employee's technical skills. Some of the businesses include Social Services, County Accessor's Office, Ft. Bidwell Indian Reservation, United Country Stevenson and Bureau of Land Management.

The Alturas Chamber of Commerce has decided to promote local businesses by awarding a  member of the business community with an annual award.  It is our goal for AFWD, the Alturas Chamber of Commerce, and Sierra College Small Business Development Center, in a collaborative effort, hope to  present the award during the annual "Celebration of Small Business Week".

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome AFWD receptionist Tracey Glenn to the Modoc Employment Center team.

Each month MEC hosts our Rountable Meetings.  Staff from CalWorks, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, AFWD, EDD and Department of Social Services get together to discuss job leads, OJT's, work experience, client workshops and more.  This exchange of information has proven beneficial and has helped us streamline our customer services.