HERE'S YOUR SIGN....

PLUMAS WORK CONNECTION GETS A NEW SIGN

 

Over the summer a new sign was added for the Mill Creek Plaza and we now have our name "up in lights." The addition of the new sign brings much needed visability for our business in East Quincy.

 

 

 

BUSINESS SERVICES IN PLUMAS COUNTY

The above photograph was taken at a recent training event here in Quincy. Laurie Wann, HR Consultant for the Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. entertained and educated staff from Plumas Bank during this workshop. The Plumas office received a request to develop and facilitate a workshop to "train the trainer" from Plumas Bank in Quincy. We anticipate providing ongoing business services to Plumas Bank as requested.

We have seen an increase in calls and requests from local business owners here at the Plumas Work Connection. The calls stem from concerns over "righ to work" verification to paid holidays and everything in between. We are also seeing an increase in requests for development of employee manuals and job descriptions. This of course keeps us quite busy.

 

 

TEMPORARY JOB CREATION

AN UPDATE FOR PLUMAS COUNTY

From the onset of the Temporary Job Creation program here at the Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc., staff has had little time to reflect on the success. This is due to the fact that staff have been tasked with the fast moving development and implimentation of a new program. There has been no shortage of potential applicants converging on our business.

There are currently 36 participants enrolled in the project covering both Plumas and Lassen counties. The bulk of the work is in the repair of public structures including shoulder repairs on highways 395, 139, and 36. There are other jobs involving property cleanup and utilities restoration.

Several participants have accepted full time employment while employed through the program causing a "revolving door" effect that is more than welcomed. Since the objective with these participants is to secure full time employment, we exceed expectations when this is achieved before they end there participation in the TJC program.

"This program provides unemployed people with the opportunity to earn a previaling wage while allowing participating agencies to finish storm related repairs and it pumps money into the local economy," said Nancy Gregg, Director of Programs at AFWD. Nancy also added, "It's a good thing."

APPLICANT POOL SUCCESS

With the implementation of the "Job Ready Applicant Pool" here at the Plumas Work Connection we have had tremendous success with employment. The staff here have worked together to determine job ready applicants through a series of criteria that includes a solid work history, consise resumes, and the ability to interview well. The applicants are enrolled into program services and meet with the HR Consultant to be "registered" in the pool.

The "applicant pool" is a data base program that highlights skills and work history of individual job seekers. The job seekers vary from the unemplyed to those seeking career change. This information is used to assist employers by responding at the "speed of business." When an employer contacts us for recruitment we simply pull applicants names from the data base that meet the employers requested skill set and forward a resume for their review.

To date we have enrolled over 20 applicants into the pool with 12 securing full time employment. The response from employers has been overwhelming. The fact that we are able to respond to the employers needs immediately has reduced the hours normally involved with recruitment and advertising. With the success to date we anticipate an increase throughout the county with employers relying on AFWD to provide quality job ready applicants.

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ANOTHER SUCCESS STORY

 

 

In February 2004, Ed Cantine was laid off from Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) in Susanville, where he worked as a chain puller. The Susanville SPI facility closed due to foreign competion, which made the SPI workers eligible for the Trade Adjustment Act training dollars through the California Employment Development Department (EDD)/Depratment of Labor. In order to receive the Trade Adjustment Act dollars available, SPI employees had to complete a comprehensive assessment process to identify their vocational interests, aptitude, and values and work personality. Additionally, they had to identify a training direction that matched their personal vocational profile.

Ed completed the vocational assessment process with the help of the Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. Ed's vocational assessment results validated the computer information technology field. Next, Ed completed career exploration to confirm a labor market opportunity in the computer field, as well as wage range. After completing career exploration, Ed knew he would be employable and make enough money to suppoort himself and his family, if he completed training in the computer information technology field.

Ed started his computer training at Lassen Community College while he worked on overcoming his obstacles to attending Butte Community College, where he desired to finish his education. During this time, Ed received encouragement and supportive service assistance from AFWD, Inc. Ed conquered his obstacles, moved to Chico and completed his education in Computer Information Technology at Butte Community College in May of 2006. Ed reported the service and the staff from EDD and AFWD, Inc. were great, especially Athea Stephenson from AFWD.

Ed is now working in an interim full time position for Butte Community College as a Telephone and Data Cable Technician. He will soon be interviewing for this year round permanent position. And by the way, family life is "really good" for Ed. Congratulations Ed!

(I would like to thank Monica Hosier, Employment Specialist with AFWD for submitting this sucess story).

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UPCOMING EVENTS

PLUMAS WORK CONNECTION

Getting Started with Federal Contracting
November 8, 2006, 9am to Noon

Sexual Harrassment Prevention
November 15, 2006, 2pm to 5pm

LASSEN CAREER NETWORK

Intro to Federal Contracting
October 17 , 2006, 1pm to 4pm

Sexual Harrassment Prevention
November 15, 2006, 8am to 11am

 

MODOC EMPLOYMENT CENTER

Intro to Federal Contracting
October 18, 2006, 9am to Noon

Sexual Harrassment Prevention
November 14, 2006, 1pm to 4pm

 

To learn more about these events, contact your local One-Stop Employment Center

PLUMAS WORK CONNECTION, 283-WORK

LASSEN CAREER NETWORK, 257-5057

MODOC EMPLOYMENT CENTER, 233-4161