The Employment & Training Center

1905 E. Main Street, Quincy, CA  95971

(530) 283-1606

www.aworkforce.org

"The mission of the Employment & Training Center is to provide a comprehensive array of quality employment services, job-related education, and training opportunities to job seekers, business, and the community.

 

Quarterly Community Coordination Report

October - December 2001

 

Submitted by:

Janis R. Trueblood

Manager, One Stop Operations & Employer Services

Plumas Community Coordinator

 

6th ANNUAL CAREER DAY
Quincy area elementary students were actively learning about dozens of career opportunities at the 6th Annual Career Awareness Day at the Employment & Training Center on October 18, 2001.  

Almost 400 students attended the event that featured presentations from business owners and organization representatives who volunteered their time to expose youth to career options.

Jeanne Williams, a Quincy Elementary School teacher who has brought several of her classes to Career Day over the years said, "It's good for the kids because it gives them an awareness that they will grow up someday.  At this age, boys tend to think about being professional athletes, while the girls all want to be actresses and writers.  There's nothing wrong with that, but this gives them a chance to consider new fields they've never even thought about."

The event involved students from 1st through 6th grade from Quincy Elementary, Pioneer Elementary, and Plumas Christian School.  Informational packages were sent to schools and teachers prior to the event in order to allow them to incorporate relevant information into their curriculums.

This year Career Day included an emphasis on math and technology.  Many presenters used visual aids and hands-on demonstrations to emphasize their vocations.  Presenters represented fields including auto mechanics, teaching, geo sciences, firefighting, health care, broadcasting, photography, animal control, construction, law enforcement, forestry, dentistry, animation, screen-printing, and the armed forces.

Cathy Wilburn with the California Employment Development Department, one of the partners at the ETC stated, "We are so lucky to have a community like ours that pulls together.  We have some businesses that commit every year to this event, and we are fortunate to be able to attract new participants too."  Another goal to Career Awareness Day is to give employers an opportunity to visit the Employment & Training Center and learn more about the services that are available to them.

Career Awareness Day is sponsored by a collaboration of Workforce Development Team members including EDD, AFWD, Plumas County Office of Education, Plumas Unified School District, Feather River College, Plumas Corporation, and CalWORKs. 

 

 

 

Animator, David Tart was a great addition to this year's Career Day.  David worked on the motion pictures Toy Story, A Bug's Life, and the recently released Monster's Inc.

 

Left: Students show their affection for Deputy Cougar of the Plumas County Sheriff's Department.

Right: KBNF  Broadcaster Marcell Wolfe puts a local student Live On The Air!

 

 

 

 

SBDC COUNSELOR ON-SITE AT ETC

The Employment & Training Center welcomes Gary Liddle as the on-site Business Counselor three days per month. Gary is the Program Director for Sierra College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) providing free services for existing business owners and entrepreneurs in Plumas County. 

 “Whether you’re operating or considering a business from part-time home based to a large manufacturing, service, or retail operation, the SBDC can help,” commented Liddle. “My role is first to work with individuals and help assess their needs, then provide free, confidential, one-on-one counseling on topics including business planning, cost projections, marketing plans, sources of financing, cash flow management, inventory control and other small business concerns." 

For more information on the Sierra College Small Business
Development Center go to http://www.sbdcsierra.org. or call 1-800-527-7361.

 

JOB SEEKER SUCCESS STORIES IN THE MAKING
 
Sierra Pacific Industries closure in Loyalton served a devastating blow to the Sierra County economy as well as to many of the families that lived in Loyalton.  Robert Fambrough was one of the affected individuals who had worked 15 years for SPI as a Millwright Supervisor.  

When Robert came to AFWD for assistance, he was concerned about his future in the mill industry and made a conscious effort to research opportunities within the labor market.  Working closely with Program Coordinator, Athea Anderson, an Employment Plan was put in place with classroom training in Truck Driving with an ultimate goal of becoming a Lineman with a local power company.  

With hard work and dedication, Robert's goals have been met.  He obtained his Class "A" in January and has been offered an apprentice lineman position with J.A.T.C. California-Nevada Power Union.  Congratulations Robert!

 

 

 

 

 

Travis Burns is a 21 year old young man with a long term ambition to become a Computer Network Administrator.  When Travis came to AFWD he had no work experience outside of high school, no job search skills, and was a little unsure of how he was going to achieve his goal.

Program Manager, Nancy Gregg states, "He was a little shy and timid about working in an office environment when he first started but has absolutely proved to be a valuable asset to the ETC staff.   You can give Travis a project and know that it will be completed accurately and beyond your expectations."

"I have learned more about computers, how office procedures work including telephones and customer service, working within a team and project management." states Travis with a smile.

Travis has stepped in to teach computer skills workshops and monitor the computer lab as well as his office support duties.  He never hesitates to give his best to every assignment.  Travis has enrolled in Feather River College this spring semester and this high level of performance will continue in his classes.

"Thanks to AFWD and the youth program, I am on my way to achieving my long-term goals", said Travis.

Rapid Response UPDATE
COLLINS PINE, Chester - Rapid Response Orientations have been conducted on December 3, December 17, December 20, and January 7 by AFWD, EDD, and Union #3074 staff.  To date, 55 Collins Laid Off Workers have applied for WIA services.  It is anticipated that additional individuals will apply for services as continued lay offs occur during January and February. 

Outreach facilities have been secured at the Almanor Basin Community Resource Center with rental of office space and conference rooms three days per week.  Outreach staff which will be available at the Center on a regular basis are Jeff Finch, Plumas Employment Specialist and David Mowbray, Lassen Employment Specialist.  Many thanks to all of the staff that have provided their time in support of this Rapid Response effort.

Janis Trueblood, Plumas Rapid Response Coordinator and Paul Harris, Union #3074 and NoRTEC WIB Member present WIA Dislocated Worker Services information to Collins Workers on December 20.

(L-R) Employment Specialists David Mowbray, Jeff Finch, and Service Coordinator Rhonda Reames-Kiper, are on-site at the Rapid Response Meeting to complete WIA Applications and Structured Interviews.

QUINCY LUMBER, Quincy - Rapid Response Orientations were conducted on-site at the Quincy Lumber-True Value Store located in downtown Quincy on December 18.  Ten of the eleven employees attended Orientation with five applying for services as of this date. 

BAKERY/DELI, Quincy - Rapid Response Dislocated Worker Packets were distributed to employees prior to the closure on December 24.  Orientation was offered on December 28.  Many of the individuals working at the Bakery/Deli have already located employment elsewhere.  Of the nine employees affected by the closure two have applied for WIA services. 

 

Notes of Interest

  • Feather River College/Regional Occupational Program Tech Prep Committee met on October 3rd to discuss moving the ROP Welding Program to the college campus.  Discussion of expanding the program into industrial maintenance and hydraulics was discussed with business representation from Sierra Pacific Industries and other interested parties present.  The goal for completing the move of this program is Fall 2002.

  • Modoc Employment Center held their "OPEN HOUSE" on November 1st at their new One-Stop on Main Street in Alturas.  Please check out the event under Modoc Community Coordinator Reports.

  • The Plumas Employment & Training Committee met on November 15th.  Click to review the Agenda and Minutes.

  • Janis Trueblood, Manager of Community Coordination was invited as a guest speaker to the Quincy Business Summit held at the Plumas County Fairgrounds on November 17th.  In it's third year, this event is sponsored by the Quincy Chamber of Commerce.  It was an honor to speak about the Employment & Training Center's Business Services.