Submitted by: Janelle Hardig
July - September, 2010
Plumas Work Connection
1953 E. Main St.
Quincy, CA 95971
Training with Betti Austin
September 28 & 29, 2010
Plumas
Work Connection staff attended a two day training with Betti Austin, Director
of Program Services for NoRTEC at the Lassen Career Network in Susanville, Ca.The
first day, Career Center Advisors (CCA) reviewed client-training services including
purpose, rules, guidelines and rationale. CCA’s had the opportunity to
benefit from Betti’s vast knowledge and experience. Many client specific
questions were brought up and discusse
d
in an open format. Betti also discussed in depth both formal and informal assessments
and Individual Employment Plans.
Career Center Advisors meet for training.
Career Center Advisors meet for training.
HR Consultants joined the CCAs in the second day of training with topics including review of dislocated worker eligibility and an overview of On the Job Trainings (OJT). OJT’s require the combined effort of both HR Consultants and CCA’s to coordinate eligible job seekers with appropriate businesses. An OJT has the unique quality of being able to assist both employers and job seekers, a win, win situation.
HR Consultants listen intently to Betti Austin
Submitted by Brent Cunningham
Healthcare Reform
Workshop
On September 22, 2010,
the Plumas Work Connection hosted a workshop to inform local businesses on the
impact of the government’s Healthcare Reform. This very informative workshop
was presented by Susan Christensen of E. Christensen Insurance headquartered
in Susanville, CA. Ms. Christensen delivered a thorough analysis of the upcoming
legislative changes and their ramifications on businesses, small and large and
answered the participants’ many pertinent questions.
Ms. Christensen informed the guests that she would be happy to furnish them
with further information upon request if they had any more concerns or questions.
Submitted by Brendan Norris
2010 SHRM Conference
San Diego, CA
June 27-30, 2010
San Diego Convention Center
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) staged their annual conference at the San Diego Convention Center for members to network, hear updates from Human Resource (HR) professionals, collect CE units and recertify credentials. From June 27 through June 30, Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. staff attended the 2010 SHRM Conference in San Diego, CA along with 11,600 other members. We attended sessions and soaked up information and strategies for leading, inspiring and motivating your workforce, strategic human resource management, the complexities of healthcare reform and many more topics.
The opening general session’s special guest speaker was Steve Forbes of
Forbes Magazine and Forbes, Inc. His speech supported that capitalism is the
way to economic recovery. Al Gore, former Vice President gave his presentation
in another session promoting sustainable capitalism.
Steve Forbes book signing.
In between sessions, there was time to squeeze in a book signing from Steve
Forbes.
Walking the marina village was also very interesting. The ‘Star of India’ cruised by the marina on its way out of San Diego Bay.
The ‘Star of India’ cruising by…
Submitted by: Janelle Hardig
2010 Green Jobs Corps Program
The Green Jobs program was geared to train at-risk youth for technical, construction,
and other skilled jobs. Participants in the Green Jobs Corps program were given
the chance to give back to their communities thru community service. All participants
served 100 hours of community service with local organizations. Upon the completion
of the community service, the participants attended Lassen Community College
for 2 weeks of classroom training. At the end of the training, all the participants
received certification in Weatherization. Two of the participants reside in
Plumas County, Joshua Hayes and Joseph Rodriquez. Josh and Joe both completed
their community service and classroom training at Lassen Community College learning
valuable skills for their future.
Joseph Rodriguez receiving his certificate
Chris Sullivan is shown handing Joseph and Josh their certificates for completing their 2 week classroom training focused on weatherization.
Josh Hayes receiving his certificate
Submitted by: Tina Stetler
SUCCESS STORIES
Success Story – Daniel Waltermire
Daniel Waltermire was laid off from
Sierra Pacific Industries on May 4th, 2009 after working there for two years
as a Bander Operator. He had previously worked for a pulp mill in Eureka, California.
Daniel attended one of our Rapid Response Orientations here at the Plumas Work
Connection where he paid special attention to information regarding retraining.
Daniel is a young man in his early twenties with a bright future. He had enough
work experience to understand the world of work and to know a career in a production
mill was not the ideal career for him. As difficult a transition as the layoff
was, he also recognized it as an opportunity.
Daniel did not waste time and began researching training programs while he completed his remaining days at SPI. Daniel’s interest was in Diesel Technician training. He researched several possible training sites and we determined that Universal Training Institute’s (UTI) Diesel Technician ten month training program would be the most beneficial. Daniel’s assessments showed he possessed the necessary background, education and skills to succeed in Diesel Technician training. UTI provided a 20% tuition reduction based on Daniel’s Workforce Investment Act (WIA) participation. Daniel was also eligible for financial aid grants and student loans.
Daniel completed UTI’s ten month Diesel Technician training on June 18th, 2010 with a 92.47% grade point average and 99.44% attendance rate. He was contacted by SPI two weeks before graduation with a job offer. Daniel, anxious to be off of unemployment and back to work, accepted the position. He began work the following Monday, June 21st. Not content to allow the training opportunity to go to waste, he and his wife continued job searching.
Daniel began September
7th at his new place of employment in Susanville as a full time Technician Assistant.
His hard work, dedication and determination paid off. Daniel Waltermire is a
Plumas Work Connection success story.
Submitted by: Brent
Cunningham
Congrats! MaryAnn Trujillo
MaryAnn came to Plumas Work Connection in early September, looking for work.
Her husband’s employer transferred him to this area, so they had just
relocated to Quincy. MaryAnn had to leave her job. Hoping we could guide her
in the right direction using her experience and skills to “land her the
right job” was what she was expecting. MaryAnn came dressed for success,
resume in hand, she was ready to start work. She was entered into our applicant
pool. Upon looking over her resume, MaryAnn appeared to be a good fit for a
receptionist position posted on Plumas Work Connection’s ‘Job Board’.
The employer requested “just the right person” to be their receptionist.
The job duties/responsibilities interested MaryAnn. A call was made to the employer
and an interview was set up for the following Tuesday. By the week’s end
and after several other applicants were interviewed, MaryAnn was called and
offered the job! Is this the case of “being in the right place at the
right time” possibly, or just being ready to go to work? Either way MaryAnn
had the right stuff!
Submitted by Gina Hayes-CCA
Success Story – Will Gabriel
Will Gabriel originally came to the Plumas Work Connection after being laid
off from a local construction company specializing in building custom residential
homes. He has worked for over ten years as a self-employed Carpenter. He has
experience in all phases of residential construction from foundation to finish.
Due to local economic conditions, Will was unable to continue his business.
Due to Will’s experience, skills and motivation to find self-sufficient
employment, he was referred to the Clean Energy 2A training program.
Will attended Butte College’s eight week Clean Energy Workforce Training Program in Oroville, Ca where he learned Weatherization basics, Green Building techniques and Solar Photovoltaic design and installation. He was able to build upon his construction, plumbing and electrical knowledge to increase his marketability and be able to work in the upcoming “green” building industry.
Butte College’s Clean Energy training was extensive covering the following topics; Introduction to Residential Construction, Environmental Training, Introduction to Green Building, Energy Fundamentals, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Systems, Water Efficient Building and Retrofits, Solar Hot Water Design and Installation Principles and Solar Hot Photovoltaic Design and Installation Principles.
Will and the other thirty participants were challenged to complete these topics in eight weeks and Will rose to the occasion. He spent many hours in the evenings reading and would stay after class for additional study with instructors. Will completed the training program on May 14th, 2010.
It had been a very difficult decision for Will to close his business,
but successful completion of the Clean Energy training gave him the confidence
boost he needed to travel to the Spanish Creek Bridge job site, approach the
supervisor and solicit employment. Two weeks later, Will was offered full time
employment as a Laborer on the company’s Galena Creek Bridge project on
freeway I-580 in Nevada.
Will is a Plumas Work Connection success story because he was
able to overcome the closure of his business, complete a very difficult training
program and find self-sufficient employment to allow him and his family to remain
in Plumas County.
Submitted by: Brent Cunningham
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Customer Service Workshop
October 8, 2010 from 11:00AM to 1:00PM
Fee $39 per person - Lunch included
The Federal Technology Center
‘SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
November 2, 2010 from 9:00AM to 12:00PM
No Cost
Sexual Harassment Prevention
November 10, 2010 from 9:00AM to 11:00PM
Fee $79 per person
2011 Labor Law Workshop
January 26, 2011 from 11:00AM to 1:00PM
Fee $39 per person
Please contact Brendan Norris, HR Consultant for more information @ (530) 283-1606 or bnorris@ncen.org.