Submitted by Traci Holt
Lassen Career Network
2545 Main Street, Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 257-5057
www.aworkforce.org
 One-Stop
Activities |
Sexual Harassment Prevention Workshops Back by Popular Demand
Businesses in Lassen, Modoc and Plumas counties took advantage of local Sexual Harassment Prevention Workshops provided by Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. (AFWD). In November, Attorney Mark Vegh returned to once again facilitate the workshops that meet the requirements of the California law, AB 1825. The workshops offered practical, and hands on methods for successfully dealing with sexual and other from of workplace harassment. The information presented by Mr. Vegh was very interactive and encouraged active participation from all attendees.
“Local businesses appreciate being able to send their employees to local workshops while minimizing training and travel cost as well as time away from work,” stated Jeff Finch, HR Consultant for AFWD. AFWD looks to continue to provide the training in Plumas, Lassen, Modoc, and Sierra counties in 2007. For more information visit us at http://www.aworkforce.org
For more information on Mark Vegh please visit: http://www.ckpf.com
U.S. Forest Service Recruits for Wild Land Firefighters
“It takes a highly skilled, hardworking cast of thousands to battle wild land fires, are you up for the challenge” was the call to action during a recent 3-day recruiting event facilitated by the Lassen US Forest Service. The December 6, 7, and 8, 2006 recruitment was co-hosted by Lassen Career Network and AFWD in Susanville. All interested persons were invited to meet with US Forest Service personnel to explore career opportunities within the agency.
The first day focused on the apprentice firefighting program offered to people including recent high school graduates or anyone 18 years and older. The day was open to all local high school seniors and others to come in and ask questions about the apprentice program as well as other career opportunities with the US Forest Service. Days two and three, were opened to all community members. US Forest Service staff on hand showed a video on wild land firefighting, explained application process, including a demonstration of AVUE, the on -line application system, and shared information on compensation and benefits.
Several dozen people attended one of the workshops and received valuable information that assisted them in considering and applying for work with the US Forest Service.
“Caring for the Land and Serving People” is the mission of the US Forest Service. For more information on careers with the USFS, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/ or http://www.avuecentral.com
AFWD Assists the City of Susanville with a Economic Development Block Grant (EDBG)
AFWD offered its business services to the City of Susanville in an effort to meet the hiring goals of a recently awarded EDBG. AFWD provided recruitment services and much more for 20 new positions created by the new business. It is our goal to establish a strong employee base that will enable the new business to become a viable and sustainable business, stated Traci Holt, Director of Employer Services, AFWD.”
AFWD provided the recruiting, income screening, referral and all grant required record keeping for the EDBG. The recruitment has been extremely successful with over 75 applicants applying for jobs with the new business.
New HR Solutions WebsiteThe HR Solutions team has been hard at work updating AFWD's business services website. Through the use of Bizland, a new, upgraded website is now available. Until our new domain name, www.afwdhr.org is registered, you can click here to veiw the new website.
Lassen Works and AFWD Team to Assist People to Work
Under the new 2006 federal law, Lassen Works(Lassen County Health and Human Services Department)needed to plan how to increase their client participation rate to 90%. This means that 90% of people receiving public assistnace must participate in activities related to obtaining gainful employment.
During strategic management meetings with the Director of Lassen Works and the AFWD Director of Employer Services it was discussed how the new participation rates could be met and how AFWD might be able to assist Lassen Works in meeting this goal. Through collaboration, we developed and implemented, and are now directing a “Job Match” program. The program is design to assist Lassen Works clients with one on one individualized job seeking/job retention/human resource services. This program is new, unique and goes well beyond the traditional WIA services available to job seekers by offering one-on-one counseling with one of AFWD’s HR consultants who work directly with employers and who can assist with job placement and job retention services, in addition to providing employer services for the businesses.
“We are very excited about this partnership and look forward to meeting the needs of our local businesses and job seekers, stated Tonya Moore, HR Consultant for AFWD. “This project goes well beyond the traditional job search services, by offering one on one consultation to job seekers before and after employment while continuing to focus on the needs of business. Our goal is to provide businesses with the ability to grow through the hiring and retention of qualified employees.”
New HR Consultant Joins the AFWD Team
Tonya Moore is a graduate of Simpson University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies and some graduate coursework in education. She has over 6 years of experience in program management and supervisory experience. Her background includes facilitating workshops, creating marketing plans, and case management. Tonya is pursuing her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification from the Society of Human Resource Management.
Ms. Moore joined Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. as a Human Resource Consultant in November, 2006 working at AFWD’s Lassen County office in Susanville. “We are extremely pleased to welcome Tonya to our business service team,” stated, Traci Holt, Director of Employer Services. Tonya brings business, marketing, and training expertise to the team enabling us to enhance services to our business clientele.”
WIA Success Stories
Jeff Moulton had been a client enrolled in our Adult program for several months looking for a survival job to get himself back on his feet. He moved here from Plumas County to be closer to Lassen Community College where he intended to continue his education. He completed a semester and worked at a couple of part time jobs which didn’t work out. He had been using our center for computer usage and taking advantage of the job board. As a result of Walgreen’s conducting their recruitment in our center, Jeff was able to able to complete the on-line application required and have an interview with Steve Hargis. He was offered a position as an entry level Cashier with hopes to promote and eventually work his way into management.
It is very difficult to choose just one client to highlight as a success story for the 2006 School of Vocational Nursing training program at Lassen Community College. All of the Lassen County participants stood out as great successes, and I am sure will go on to be excellent Licensed Vocational Nurses. However, there are three students who stand out in my mind as rising above the every day challenges of becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).
The first student who comes to mind is Meredith Mitchell, who returned to school after several years of working with young children and assisting her husband with his business. Meredith had always dreamed of becoming a school nurse and helping young children with their various needs while they were at school. Meredith expresses her warmth and love for children whenever I see her and you know that she genuinely cares for them. For now Meredith will be happy with any nursing position, however, her life long dream of becoming a school nurse, will hopefully come to fruition. Congratulations to Meredith!
Secondly, Larry Baker was a dislocated worker from Sierra Pacific Industries after 24 years of dedicated service. He felt that a career change was needed for him to be able to support his family and move away from the declining logging industry. He chose the field of nursing as his goal. Larry returned to Lassen College after many years of being out of school and successfully completed his pre-requisites. He than began the Vocational Nurses training program at Lassen College in January of 2006. Larry strived to maintain a good grade point average and be a leader in his class. He completed the vocational nurses training in December of 2006 and will now study for his licensure exams. Larry hopes to eventually go on and study for a RN upgrade and work in the prison system as an LVN and eventually a RN. Congratulations to Larry!
Finally, Stacy Clark decided after approximately 8 years of working as a Pharmacy Technician, that she would like to upgrade to a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She applied for and was accepted to Lassen College’s Vocational Nurses training in January of 2006. When I think of Stacy, I think of someone who is a leader to her classmates and who took her LVN training very seriously, but at the same time encouraged and assisted others who needed her help. Stacy is a positive role model and successfully completed the Vocational Nursing program at Lassen College in December of 2006. She will now study to take her licensure exams. Congratulations to Stacy!
All three of these students were able to benefit from the services provided by the Alliance for Workforce Development. They have all expressed their appreciation in the assistance that they received from AFWD.
2006-2007 Business Success Seminar SeriesThe AFWD Business Services Team met to discuss the future Business Success Seminar Series. The following is the list of workshops that will be offered in Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra Counties in 2007.
2007 Labor Law Update - January 2007
Doing Business with the Federal Government - February 2007
Job Coaching - March 2007
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training - May 2007
