Untitled Document

Submitted by Traci Holt

Lassen Career Network
2545 Main Street, Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 257-5057
www.aworkforce.org

One-Stop Activities

Sierra County Joins NoRTEC

As of July of 2006, Sierra County has joined the Northern Rural Training & Employment Consortium(NoRTEC), a special district formed by a Joint Powers agreement between ten rural Northern California Counties; Butte, Del Norte, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sierra, Tehama and Trinity.

The Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc.(AFWD) is pleased to have Sierra County as part of our service delivery area. The new Workforce Investment Board members representing Sierra County are; Peter Heubner (Governing Board), Gale Ross Gordon (WIB Member), Carol Roberts (WIB Member), and Todd Sloan (WIB Member). AFWD looks forward to providing services to job seekers and businesses to Sierra County and its communities.

Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc Shows Appreciation to Administrative Staff

In recognition of Administrative Assistant Appreciation Week, AFWD hosted an appreciation workshop and luncheon for its three-county administrative staff and support staff of Lassen Works, the CalWORKs partner in the One-Stop. Staff were recognized for all of their collective contributions to their organization’s success as well as acknowledged for their individual accomplishments.

The two hour workshop titled, ”Managing the Front Desk,” offered tips and techniques for increased customer service and efficiency. The workshop was facilitated by Laurie Wann and Tracie Nolan. The workshop attendees were able to interact and share ideas and offer support to each other. “Being the first point of contact for hundreds of customer a week can be trying at times and it is good to know that the work we do is valued by our supervisor and organization management,” said Lassen Career Network receptionist Jenny Lutz.

All attendees received a hosted lunch as well as thank you gifts and various prizes. “We can not say thank you often enough, and it is a pleasure to have a special celebration to show the administrative staff how critical they are to our daily operations and our long term success!” noted Holly Schirmer, Manager of Lassen Operations.

We look forward to continuing this annual event and celebration of success!

AFWD's Tracie Nolan talks about the importance of organization.

Staff from AFWD and Lassen Works.

AFWD Staff Attend Workforce & Economic Development Forum

Chico, CA - On May 31, 2006, The California Workforce Association (CWA) hosted the CWA Special Committee on Business and Industry Regional Forum, Northern California. AFWD's Human Resource Consultants Sarah DeForest and Holly Schirmer attended.

The regional forum was convened based on the recommendations from the Business and Industry Special Committee and California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) Joint Survey Report. Please click here to review the report and click on CALED Survey Results. The report provides the frame of reference for the regional forums that are focusing on the integration of workforce development and economic development services.

A Local Showcase was presented by Kathy Schmitz Executive Director, Job Training Services and Business One Stop Services, Tehama County and Claudia Martin, Business Resource Specialist, Tehama Local Development Corporation entitled Workforce Development’s Value to Economic Development.

The presentation highlighted NoRTEC and its business services focus and the tie in with economic development. They featured the Hampton Inn start up in Tehama County and how the One Stop worked with local Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to provide Hampton Inn with a full array of services to assist them in opening the Inn in Red Bluff. Kathy and Claudia also highlighted the start up of the Flying J Travel Plaza in Corning and the positive outcome based on the joint efforts of business, workforce and economic development. They concluded with stating that workforce development is important to economic vitality – connecting services and filling voids.

The forum was attended by professionals in both workforce development and economic development in the Northern California region.

Job Fair 2006

Racing to Job Success was the theme for this year’s winning job fair hosted by the partners of the Lassen Career Network. The theme was chosen primarily because auto racing is a favorite pastime and Lassen County is home to NASCAR Driver Mike Skinner.

AFWD, Lassen Works, and the Employment Development Department joined together to facilitate this yearly event that brings together businesses and job seekers face to face to explore job openings and career opportunities. The race car themed 2006 job fair was attended by 19 employers and 170 people looking to obtain full time or part time work, or research other career options. With over 150 jobs available job seekers were able to meet with employers, ask questions about the jobs and organizations, and in some cases, actually interview on the spot.

Employers appreciate the opportunity to meet with job seekers in an environment away from the day-to-day operation of their business. “I attend the job fair yearly and interview candidates on site. I will end up hiring several people from the job fair this year,” stated Todd Eid, manager of Susanville Supermarket. “The job fairs hosted by Lassen Career Network are a very valuable service for employers and assist in meeting our recruiting needs.”

Many employers joined in the theme, “Racing to Job Success” by decorating their tables with race car props, pictures, and memorabilia. “It was great to have a theme for the job fair that allowed us to use slogans such as “Rev up your Resume,” and “Tune up Your Interview Skills,” for job seeker assistance booths, stated Donna Myers, Employment Specialist for AFWD. “Everyone who participated in this year’s event is winner!”

For a complete list of the employers who participated in the Job Fair, please click here. For more information on the Job Fair, please review our informational flyer.

Job Fair participants in line for California Department of Corrections informational booth.

Thanks to our sponsors!!

Jenny Lutz and Henri Daugherty "posing" with Nascar driver Mark Martin, compliments of AAA.

TEMPORARY JOB CREATION
National Emergency Grant Means Jobs for Unemployed Workers

A silver lining from the winter storms that ravaged Northeastern California is the creation of temporary jobs to clean up and repair the resulting property damage-and these jobs all pay prevailing wages.

To assess the need for temporary jobs, AFWD canvassed local agencies in the months following the storm damage to see where additional help was needed for storm-related repair and cleanup.

Dozens of positions are now available with local agencies and organizations in Construction, Clerical, Laborers, Roofing, Clean Up, Traffic Control, Utilities and Maintenance.

"This is a win-win situation," explained Nancy Gregg, AFWD Director of Programs. "Since all the jobs created through this funding are in the public sector-it is a real benefit to local agencies who suffered damage and don't have the funding or manpower to fix it. The grant also means jobs for unemployed workers, and a boost for local economies."

Under the grant-funded program, successful applicants can work up to 6 months or earn $12,000, whichever comes first. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years of age and have been unemployed 5 out of the last 26 weeks.

Pictured below is Rhonda Reames-Kiper who is the program coordinator for the National Emergency Grant Temporary Job Creation Program in Lassen and Plumas Counties.

Rapid Response Update

COMPAC - The Rapid Response Team facilitated a Rapid Response orientation for the employees of Lassen County Community Planning and Advisory Council (ComPAC) ComPAC’s 12 affected employees were in attendance to learn about the services available to them because of the elimination of ComPAC programs due to funding cuts. Their last scheduled day of work was June 30, 2006.

Wayne Bienkowski of EDD presented an overview of unemployment insurance and benefits. He also explained the availability of California Training Benefits (CTB). Wayne answered employee’s questions regarding UI and CTB and then met with individuals one-on-one to review estimated benefits and to assist them with the application process.

Holly Schirmer then gave an overview of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) services provided by AFWD. She explained that various WIA services are designed for those employees that lose their jobs due to a business closure. She discussed job search assistance, resume and interview assistance, specific job skills upgrading, and supportive services. “The goal of AFWD’s services is to make the transition between jobs as smooth and brief as possible,” said Schirmer. Next, Deborah McClure spoke about opportunities and guidelines for training and supportive services for those that may be interested.

After the presentation, all employees completed their WIA eligibility paperwork and met with AFWD staff to complete the eligibility process. Case managers will be following up with ComPAC employees and working with them one-on-one to address their needs.

Thank you to the ComPAC Board of Directors for facilitating and supporting this very successful Rapid Response. AFWD looks forward to continuing to work with ComPAC to meet their workforce needs.

Wayne Bienkowski, EDD, talks about the UI benefits program.

Apple Peddler - When the Susanville Apple Peddler Restaurant announced its closure, the Rapid Response team quickly went in to action and responded to the 20 affected restaurant employees. Two group orientations were hosted on May 19, 2006 at Lassen Career Network . Holly Schirmer and Julie Colgan explained the full range of dislocated worker services including job search, career assessment, job skills building, training/education opportunities, and supportive services.

Wayne Bienkowski form EDD explained how to file for unemployment insurance (UI), and gave an overview on the CalJOBS system. All Apple Peddler employees who attended an orientation registered for dislocated services, as well as, met with Wayne one on one regarding their UI.

AFWD and EDD are continuing to work with the 20 dislocated workers during this time of job transition.

Julie Colgan handles the WIA eligibility for the Dislocated Workers.

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Back by Popular Demand!!

Due to the continuing need for local employers to comply with Assembly Bill1825, AFWD hosted a third Sexual Harassment Prevention Training workshop on May 17, 2006. Attorney Mark Vegh, of Carr, Kennedy, Peterson and Frost, law firm in Redding, CA, presented the 3 hour seminar titled “Preventing Workplace Harassment.” Mr, Vegh reviewed the recognition, correction, and prevention off all workplace harassment, including key concepts of; classification of protected status and activities, employer lessons (damage awards), and identification of ‘harassing” comments, jokes, and actions. He gave practical guidelines for supervisors and manager in applying the legal test for recognizing harassment and investigation of complaints.

The workshop was very well received and all 51 attendees received a certificate of completion that satisfies the training requirements of AB1825.

Mr. Vegh has more than 16 years of experience as an employment and labor lawyer in California and Oregon. He advises and represents employers on all aspects of employment and labor law.

His areas of expertise are:

Workplace Discrimination
Harassment
Wrongful Termination
Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
Wage and Hour Issues
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Reduction-in-force requirements
Labor relations and collective bargaining
Hiring and Disciplinary issues
Development of personnel policies and procedures

Mark lectures extensively on employment and labor law and has presented more than 600 seminars and training sessions for employers in several states. He is an adjunct professor in human resource management at Simpson University, and previously was an adjunct professor teaching courses in law at Shasta College. He has also authored several employment law publications and articles.

Attorney Mark Vegh

WIA Success Stories

Cari Neely was laid off from Sierra Pacific Industries Mill in May of 2004 due the permanent closure of the Susanville mill. She was made eligible for services as a dislocated worker and expressed an interest in retraining using Trade Act funds that she was also eligible for.

Cari attended Lassen Community College to attain an Associate of Science degree in Office Administrative Assistant which she completed in June of 2006.

Cari feels that the WIA services she received were beneficial to her and our assistance enabled her to attend Lassen Community College utilizing Trade Act funds to pay for her training and to continue to receive her unemployment insurance benefits while in a two year training program. She was very happy to have the opportunity to go to school even though the mill closure was difficult for her and many of her co-workers at Sierra Pacific Industries.

Cari has entered employment with the Lassen County Assessor’s office as an Office Administrative Assistant. She plans to work her way up with the county and would eventually like to work for the District Attorney’s office.

Larry Webb was laid off from Sierra Pacific Industries mill in Susanville in April 2004 due the permanent closure of the Susanville mill. He was made eligible for services as a dislocated worker and expressed an interest in retraining using Trade Act funds that he was also eligible for.

Larry attended Lassen Community College to attain a Certificate of Achievement in Power Generation Technology and will also earn an Associate of Science degree in Power Generation Technology upon completion of his internship hours.

Larry has entered employment with Mt. Lassen Power Company as a Utility Worker. He will complete his internship hours with Mt. Lassen Power Company in order to earn his Associate of Science degree in Power Generation Technology.

Larry attributes much of his success to Athea Stephenson, one of AFWD’s Program Coordinator who recommended that Larry initially take the College Success class offered by Lassen Community College.

Upcoming Events

2006-2007 Business Success Seminar Series

The AFWD Business Services Team met to discuss the future Business Success Seminar Series. The following is a tentative list of workshops that will be offered in Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra Counties. Dates and times have yet to be confirmed.

Doing Business with the Federal Government
State Compensation Insurance Fund - Worker's Compensation
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
2007 Labor Law Update
Hiring 101
Management 101
Front Line/Administrative Assistant Training
Job Coaching
Web Site Development

Farewell Janis Trueblood