Submitted by: Janelle Hardig, Business Services Coordinator
January 1 to March 30, 2010
Plumas Work Connection
1953 E. Main St., Quincy, CA 95971
(530) 283-1606
SIERRA PACIFIC INDUSTRIES TO
RE-open THE SMALL LOG MILL
Good
News for Plumas county
On February 22, 2009 almost a year after the Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), annouced the lay-offs of approximately 120 employees, the Small Log Mill will re-open. The Large Log Mill will be reducing the shifts from 2 shifts to1 shift in May, 2010. After some of the employees from Large Log Mill assume their new positons in the Small Log Mill, approximately 35 positions will still need to be filled. While it is not known who or how many Large Log Mill workers will assume new positions in the Small Log Mill, it is still good news that new positons will open up for the Small Log Mill workers affected by the May 4, 2009 lao-offs. If the demand for more lumber is rises, the number of shifts in the Large Log mill may increase.
Business Retention and Expansion
On February 23, 2010
Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. attended training in Business Retention
and Expansion. The training put business relationships first to better receive
feedback on their needs. We learned how to identify struggling businesses, how
to put effective teams together to address the different needs of struggling
businesses.
Outreach to businesses is the first step to building trusting relationships. When businesses share information about their needs the information can be compared with our services and referral services. Assisting businesses with referrals and services can be crucial to business livelihood.
The current economic situation is causing business owners to explore creative ways to keep thier business going. Some business' are evolving with the economy. There is a proactive approach to enhancing their business.
The most important tool AFWD can use is the feedback from our local businesses. This is the first step. Feedback can tell AFWD what services are needed and what the most emergent needs are.
Laith Wardi, CEcD, President of ExecutivePulse, Inc.
Working with our Foster Youth
Plumas
Work Connection had the opportunity on February 22, 2010 to be present at a
Plumas County Foster Youth career planning workshop facilitated by Students
In Free Enterprise (SIFE) and the foster youths Independent Living Program.
AFWD's Youth Program was introduced to the SIFE youth and the foster youth also
attending the presentation. The foster youth were very exicited about the program
and several of the youth started the eligibility process for the AFWD Youth
Program. Members of SIFE asked for AFWD Work Investment Act (WIA) Youth Program
brochures and flyers to hand out to the youth that are in the SIFE mentoring
program. The SIFE youth are activily making referrals for the (WIA) Youth Program.This
partnership with the SIFE and Foster Youth ILP is valuable to AFWD and it's
program. Joining the workforce is a big reality for anyone, AFWD's WIA Youth
Program assists eligible youth and makes it easier assisting with graduating
with a diploma or achieving their GED. Other services lead to exploring careers
and referral resources for secondary education or assisting with job seeking
and job placement.
The new year brought The Federal Technology Center to Plumas Work Connection another useful workshop: January 28, 2010 Getting Started with Government Contracting. The attendance is getting larger as businesses recognize the importance of contracting with the Federal Government. The information included in the course gives businesses the tools to obtain the numbers and registrations needed to contract with the Federal Government. The benefits of contracting with the government is the ability to respond to Requests For Porposals (RFPs). Businesses can find RPFs on this web site https://www.fbo.gov/.
If you missed out on the January 28th class don't worry. Plumas Work Connection has staff available to assist you with the following steps. Ask for Brent Cunningham, Gina Hayes or Brendan Norris for assistance. Find out how to do the following:
Why and how to obtain a DUNS Number
How to research your NAICS and SIC Codes
Why registering in Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is so important
What “ORCA” is
Reporting requirements for small businesses
How to apply
for federal certifications through the Small Business Administration (SBA):
8(a) Business Development Program, and Historically Underutilized Business
Zone (HUBZone) Program
How to apply
for State of California certifications: Small Business, Disabled Veterans
Business Enterprise (DVBE), and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
How to search for government contracting opportunities
Come by and see one
of our staff to assist you with the process of contracting with the Federal
Government at 1953 E. Main St., Quincy, CA 95971 or
call us at (530) 283-1606.
Working with our Partners
January 12, 2010 Feather
River College TRIO Advisor invited Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc.
(AFWD) to present the Work Investment Act (WIA) youth program at a special career
development meeting with Plumas Charter School Education Specialists. The goal
of the meeting was to develop a Career Exploration requirement for graduation.
Students can choose from the following categories: Assessment/Personal Development,
Skill Building, Experiential, and Self Marketing. Plumas Charter Students that
are eligible for the WIA Youth Program could earn credits for their participation
toward their high school diploma. Four Charter Schools attended the curriculum
development day, Quincy, Greenville, Portola and Susanville. AFWD looks forward
to working with our partners and with our local schools to expand the youth
opportunities.
California Workforce
Association
2010 Youth conference
January 19-21
Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. (AFWD) employees attended the tenth annual CWA Youth conference January 19-21 in Long Beach California. The conference brought together many unique groups including staff from youth service agencies, educators, youth program designers, and youth. The conference featured over 40 workshops and 5 plenary sessions.
Staff attended numerous workshops on counseling, teaching soft skills, rebuilding our communities, going green and so much more. The three days were fast paced and filled full of information to help us better serve our youth and our communities.
BUSINESS
SHOWCASE
Plumas Work Connection
is recognizing and showcasing local Plumas County Businesses that start up 
in
there trying times or have an extraordinary success story.
This quarter Plumas Work Connection is excited by the new business start-up of 'Traci's Sweet Surprises'. Traci Downey started her business at the fair grounds in theTulsa Scott Pavillion building.
Traci is moving to a new location 503 Main St., Quincy, CA 95971 and will be open April 11th.
There will be a Grand Opening on April 15th from 10am-2 pm.
There will be a drawing for 2 gift certificates from 'Traci's Sweet Surprises' and two gift certificates from 'Southern Accent'.
We have sampled Traci's cakes here at the Plumas Work Connection. The samples were a great way to advertise and now she is very busy with cake orders. We look forward to working with Traci and her business needs.
Success Story
A successful Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. (AFWD) client and affected employee by the lay-off from Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), small log mill closure in May of 2009 has come so far in our program she has reached and completed her goal.. Having worked as an equipment operator at SPI to finding a career in a different industry, our client was determined to maker herself sustainable. We discussed different training options with her and decided on a career in law enforcement.
She enrolled in the Butte College Law Enforcement Academy. AFWD assisted our client with a portion of the training costs such as uniforms and other required items related to the field of training she entered into.
Our client was proactive in her job search from the time she started training until she found employment. She traveled on weekends to complete interviews and ride-alongs for several different counties in California. She completed her training in the end of December 2009. She started full time employment for the Plumas County Sheriff’s Department here in Quincy, CA, earning a sustainable wage in February 2010.
Our client was able to come to terms with her layoff, recognize
an opportunity to update her skills and overcame adversity to reach her goal.
This is the reason she is the Plumas Work Connection’s success story.
Amercain Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
The American Recover and Reinvestment Act has been received in Plumas County and other counties in the form of grants. One of the current grants Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. is partnering with local agencies is the Clean Energy 1A and 2A grant. This grant allows eligible individuals to obtain a certification in clean energy contruction. The courses are divided according to the existing skill level of the proposed student. The certification should assist the student in obtaining a job in the career of clean energy construction. Currently Plumas Work Connection is screening for the next round of eligible students. If you are interested in determining if you are eligible, please contact Brent Cunningham, Tina Stetler or Gina Hayes for more information 1953 E. Main St., Quincy, CA 95971 or by phone (530) 283-1606.