Submitted by Bobbi Moore

October 1 through December 31, 2008

Lassen Career Network

1616 Chestnut Street Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 257-5057
www.aworkforce.org

 

One Stop Moves To A New Location

On November 3, 2008 when Lassen Career Network opened in its new location at 1616 Chestnut Street in Susanville, Job seeking clients and local business owners entered to see a professional, open, and inviting atmosphere where all of their employment and business needs are met.

For job seekers, the professional and friendly staff will assist them with:

• Applying for local and out of area jobs.
• Filing for unemployment insurance, disability, and family leave.
• Utilizing the computer lab for creating and updating resumes, apply for jobs online, and take typing and employment related tests.
• Administrative tasks such as faxing, copying, and other work related information gathering.

For local business owners, the professional and friendly staff will assist them with:


• Employee recruitment.
• Access to a job ready applicant pool.
• Introducing them to business services and inviting them to meet with business services staff.
• Administrative tasks such as faxing, copying, and information gathering.

Sharla Gatie, Briley Smith and Jin-Hee Williams also assist the Lassen WORKS partner staff by channeling their customers to their case managers, copying and faxing information, mail and information distribution, and additional administrative projects as requested.

The new One-Stop is a dynamic professional environment where job seekers and local business owners are gathering for success!

By: Lori Cooley, and Sharla Gatie


Lassen Career Network Boost State of the Art Computer Lab

On November 3, 2008 the Lassen Career Network, computer lab re-opened at its new location at 1616 Chestnut Street in Susanville. The computer lab is now open, to the public, Monday – Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm. Staff assisted computer lab assistance is available from 8:00am- 12:00pm each week day.

The Lassen Career Network welcomes job seekers and employers to use the computer lab facilities. The computer lab is equipped with 10 computers, Microsoft Office 2007 software, and one shared printer. The lab offers the following:

For more information and class schedules, please call Carol Lynn at (530) 257-5057 or email at clynn@ncen.org

Submitted by: Carol Lynn


California State Civil Service Exam Process Training

On Monday, December 1, 2008, six Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. employees and three Lassen WORKS employees attended a presentation on how to apply for a California State Civil Service Exam. Carol Lynn, Lassen Career Networks’ computer lab coordinator for AFWD, Lassen, was the presenter. Carol is a former California State employee and very familiar with the exam and hiring processes used by State Civil Service agencies.

The California Department of Corrections has two prisons located in Susanville. High Desert State Prison and the California Correctional Center are the largest employers in Lassen County. The state prisons offer many jobs. In order to obtain a position at the prison or any state agency, the applicants must take an examination and successfully score in the first three ranks. Candidates that are successful on the exam will be placed on a list and hiring agencies will contact them for a job interview.
Carol provided the attendees with an overview of the State Civil Service Exam Process by navigating the State Personal website www.spb.ca.gov, and providing them with a printed packet of instruction. Additional packets are available in the Computer Lab for job seekers.

For further information on how to get a job with the State of California, please contact Carol Lynn at (530) 257-5057 or email at clynn@ncen.org

Submitted by: Carol Lynn

Adult Success Story: Licensed Vocational Nursing Program Graduates!

Ashley Anastasio, Missy Reynolds, Shelly Oliver, and Kimberly Snow are on their way to becoming LVN’s!

In December 2008 all four will graduate from the LVN program at the Lassen Community College. While their program has been lengthy, sometimes exhausting, and included out of town clinical training in towns as far away as Redding, Reno, and Chico, it has proven to all be worth it! While each still needs to complete the licensing exam which will take place in February or March 2009 (depending on test date availability), with the guidance and advisement of their AFWD Career Center Advisors they are already meeting with local employers to obtain entry level positions with local employers until they have passed their tests, and their licenses are active – at which time they will be eligible to apply for LVN positions! Interim and immediate employment is available for them through the State of California, Banner Lassen Medical Center, and other local smaller healthcare facilities.

Congratulations to Ashley, Missy, Shelly, and Kimberly!

Note: LVN positions and job availability in Lassen County has increased this year with the opening and creation of new LVN positions at the Banner Lassen Medical Center. The State of California has also had a significant number of open LVN positions this year at both the California Correctional Center and High Desert State Prison.

By: Lori Cooley


Federal Correctional Institution – Herlong, California

The Federal Bureau of Prisons is serious about ensuring inmates are ready to reenter society and on November 13, 2008 the AFWD was there to help!

The FBOP offers a variety of programs to its inmates at the Herlong Prison. These programs include but are not limited to:
• Vocational training
• Life Connection programs
• Parenting programs
• Mock Job Fairs (AFWD Participation)

On November 13, 2008, Alicia Fogal and Lori Cooley from the Lassen Career Network participated in the Mock Job Fair at the Federal Prison in Herlong, California. The event took place in several blocks of time with 2 hours spent with each group of inmates. Overall around 150 inmates were provided with information and had the opportunity to ask questions about issues and barriers they may face when reentering society and job searching. They also asked typical questions about what it will be like to job search and how they will go about doing that. The time spent with the inmates included discussion and hand outs on the following information:
• Job search as an ex-offender
• Job search for women and minorities
• Dealing with negative information
• The role that the family can play
• How to create a resume and cover letter
• Filling out a job application
• Daily job search and planning
• Interview skills, common questions, and the appropriate attire
• The first week on the job

Inmates who are released into Lassen County and other counties throughout the country, were provided with information regarding one-stop career centers in our surrounding counties and across the United States. Other agencies such as the Employment Development Department were in attendance, and additional information such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credits being provided to inmates as well. All information given to the inmates is in an effort to prepare them for reentry into society and prepare them for issues they may face and how to overcome those issues. This was the second annual Mock Job Fair at the Herlong facility, and it was noted as being a success.

By: Lori Cooley

The Federal Technology Center holds seminar in Susanville

In a partnership with the Federal Technology Center, The Lassen Career Network hosted the seminar called "Intro to Federal Contracting" on October 1, 2008 from 1pm-4pm. 4 people attended the seminar, which was presented by FTC's Jayne Murnane.

This class covered:
• What types of goods and services the federal government buys
• How to obtain the necessary registrations and classification codes
• If your small business qualifies for certain socioeconomic programs
• What the “set-aside” goals are for government purchases
• How the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) relates to your business
• The federal government purchasing process
• How to access additional free contracting assistance

For more information, visit the FTC web site at www.theftc.org.


 

ACCELERATING NORTHERN CALIFORNIA RENEWABLE ENERGY!

Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc’s Director of Business Services, Holly Schirmer attended the “Accelerating Renewable Energy Development in the North State” conference held in Chico, CA on December 4, 2008. The event was held at the Sierra Nevada Brewery with over 200 attendees interested in the development of renewable energy in Northern California. The goal of the conference was to gather all stakeholders and form a regional collaboration in order to increase the North State’s competitive advantage in the Renewable Energy field. The regional network will act as a focal point for business development and attraction, thereby increasing the economic base and sustainable employment opportunities in the region.

Renewable Energy includes solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, biomass, wood and wood waste, municipal solid waste and landfill.

Stakeholders attending the hugely successful day included representatives from economic development, workforce development, and small business development, elected officials, education, lenders, industry experts, and the public. The event included a forum of speakers with the opportunity for the audience to ask questions and provide input. The key note speaker, Barbara Halsey, Executive Director for the California Workforce Investment Board, addressed the topic of “California, Leading the Renewable Energy Growth.” Key points in her presentation included:
• California leads the nations in “green” initiatives
• State and Federal legislation as well as energy demands drive the renewable energy programs
• New technologies require new workforce skills
• The Green Collar Jobs Act (AB 3018) will establish a Green Collar Jobs Council to develop green economy policies, funding, and partnerships

Ms. Halsey summarized, “As green products and practices permeate the reaches of the economy, the discussion is no longer about the emergence of a new industry; it is about the transformation of the entire economy. This transformation is toward an economy that makes more efficient and sustainable use of our limited natural resources.”

Other sessions included, “What drives this market opportunity?”, “How does the North State take advantage of its resources and assets to create economic opportunity?”, and “What renewable energy business needs to know to grow and survive in the North State.” To view and download presentations, visit: www.energynorthstate.com


“We have many of the factors desired for thriving renewable energy projects – manufacturing, power generation or energy conservation,” said Charlie Brown, executive director of NoRTEC. “Wind, sun, water, forests, organic materials and more, but we must communicate, educate and create the best workforce, location and systems for the industry and region. We could become the preferred location for renewable energy developments.”

The event was the spring board for the regional collaboration in which all stakeholders will work together to further the renewable energy industry in Northern California, creating jobs and renewing the area’s economy. The forum was hosted by Northern Rural Training Employment Consortium (NoRTEC), North Central Counties Consortium (NCCC), and the WIRED-Northern California Regional Competitiveness Network. Sponsors included the California Labor and Workforce Agency, California Lt. Governor’s Office, U.S Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and the U.S. Department of Labor. For further information please visit www.energynorthstate.com.

Sexual Harassment Training for Managers and Supervisors

On October 7, 2008, 15 area managers and supervisors, saved time and money by receiving state mandated Sexual Harassment Prevention training locally in Susanville.

According to Holly Schirmer, Director of Business Services with the Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc., “Our October 7th workshop met California AB 1825 requirements for businesses employing 50 or more individuals. In addition, we encouraged all supervisors and business owners to attend, regardless of their company size, to protect themselves, their company and their employees.”

Harassment claims are on the rise and are potentially very expensive to businesses. Many people are not aware that managers and supervisors can even be held personally liable for harassment conducted by or towards their employees.

Topics discussed at the workshop included: defining unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation under California and Federal law; steps to take if harassing behavior occurs; how to report harassment complaints; how to prevent retaliation; the effect and consequences of workplace harassment; and, employer obligations to investigate workplace harassment claims.
The highly interactive workshop was very well received by all attendees. For further information on upcoming Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. workshops, please visit: www.afwdhr.org

Submitted by: Alicia Fogal

 

Youth Success Story

Briley Smith came into the Lassen Career Network looking for help with finding a job. Without a high school diploma and a having a short work history, she was having a difficult time with her job search. She applied for Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc.’s youth program and after the benefits of the program were presented, she was ready to get started. She participated in job search, interviewing, and customer service workshops, learning various tips and strategies. She also completed pre-testing for the GED. She was then offered a work experience at the Lassen Career Network as an office helper. The Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. also assisted her with work appropriate clothing for the position. Briley’s been primarily assisting the frontline for a month, and is learning valuable professional office skills that will assist her with future career aspirations. She shows initiative and a willingness to work hard. Most importantly, she has gained confidence and self esteem that will carry her through her career and life.

Submitted by: Leslie Scott

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 20- Labor Law Update Workshop, Lassen

February 24, 25 & 26 – Entrepreneurial Boot Camp, Lassen

For locations and times of specific events, please visit www.afwdhr.org