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

April - June 2002

Submitted by Janis R. Trueblood

 

BUSINESS SERVICES

 

LOCAL EVENT HONOR PLUMAS COUNTY SMALL BUSINESSES IN MAY

An estimated 25.5 million businesses thrive in America and make vital contributions to our economy.  Nationally, they employ more than half the country's private workforce, create three out of every four new jobs, and generate a majority of American innovations.

In honor of small businesses, a "two-day" workshop was offered twice within Plumas County during the first two weeks in May.    114 owners and managers of local businesses reaped the benefit by attending this exciting training opportunity.  The Small Business Development Center in coordination with Feather River College, Plumas Corporation, AFWD, and the Workforce Development Team brought Tom Bruce, certified presenter by the National Restaurant Association to Graeagle and Chester.    

Day 1 - ServSafe Food Training and Certification Workshop assisted 112 businesses with re-certification in the safe handling of food products in their business.  This certification is required by the State of California every three years and is unavailable locally to the Plumas County food service industry.

Day 2 - Four Walls Marketing; Strategies for Success addressed innovative approaches to increasing the "bottom line" for many hospitality industry businesses.  Simple internal techniques in menu engineering and staff motivation can translate into thousands of revenue dollars annually.   

Once again, the collaborative working relationships we nurture in Plumas County paid off big in supporting the economic health of our local hospitality businesses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUARTERLY  BUSINESS EDUCATION CONFERENCES KICK OFF IN JUNE 2002

The Plumas Workforce Development Team held their first "Quarterly Conferences" on June 6-7.  As requested by local businesses the workshops will be offered on a quarterly basis in four areas of the County.  The "Team" has chosen to tackle the top four topic areas in this first year.  The first workshop, “Motivating and Retaining Employees” was presented by Ken Theobald of Haws, Theobald and Auman.  Thursday, June 6 Theobald started at Plumas Bank in Portola from 7:30 – 9:00 am, at the Employment & Training Center from 11:30 – 1:00pm, and at Sierra Sunrise in Greenville from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Friday, June 7th, Chester participants heard the presentation at the Elks Lodge from 7:30 – 9:00 am.

53 business representatives attended and customer satisfaction feedback indicated that everyone was very pleased with the presentation.  The best testimonial of the success was a "Letter to the Editor" written by Stephanie Horton, owner of Horton Tires in Quincy.

 
"I would like to commend the Workforce Development Team at the Employment & Training Center for an impressive conference held on June 6.  The conference was free to businesses and agencies and included a great spread for lunch.  The topic was on "Motivating and Retaining Employees". 

I would imagine that the majority of the local businesses would have this as a concern and I was disappointed to see such a small representation from the retail businesses.

The conference was only an hour-and-a-half, we had lunch and received a very informative presentation from a knowledgeable speaker, and it was free!  What more could we ask for?

So, I would like to encourage more of the local businesses, no matter how many employees you have or the size of your business, to take advantage of these quality conferences.  They could hold the key to your success! Or, even if you are already successful, then a reminder that what you are doing is working, can overflow onto others for their benefit.

I know another conference is scheduled for October and I am sure it will be on another great topic and an impressive presentation.  It is worth your time to attend."

 

 

WEBSITE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING

Throughout NoRTEC, Website Technology Training for Business was being held.  Plumas hosted John and Wes on June 18th with six businesses in attendance.  Three WIA youth participants attended the training to assist business attendees with their website design and publishing.  Customer feedback was very positive with hopes that this training can be repeated in the future.

 

SUCCESS STORY

 
OJT - On-The-Job Training programs assist local business in providing training opportunities to eligible job seekers. 

Employer Scott Tanner worked with AFWD to develop an OJT for a copier technician position he needed to fill.  "It's a great service!  Bill is getting the specific experience we both need to be successful and the program helped pay his salary during the training."

 

THIS AND THAT!

 

AFWD Corporate Staff move into the Employment & Training Center!  Gary, Bob, Jacqui and Patty are welcomed by the One-Stop partner staff.

On the left:  Bob is smiling as he prepares NoRTEC's required quarterly report!

On the right:  Jacqui settles into her office and brings all of her beautiful, lush plants to brighten-up the work environment!

Plumas Transit (operated by AFWD) has been doing some exciting things!  The first Saturday of every month, PG&E releases water down the North Fork of the Feather River offering white water rafting trips in Class 3 and 4 rapids .  Plumas Transit is providing the transportation as a "charter event". 

July 19th, Plumas Transit kicks off their Reno-Chico service from Plumas County.  Every Monday & Friday, round trip bus service to Reno and every Wednesday to Chico will be offered to the local residents.