Submitted by Traci Holt
Lassen Career
Network
2545 Main Street, Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 257-5057
www.aworkforce.org
 One-Stop
Activities |
California Highway Patrol Career Day held at One-Stop
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) held a career day at Lassen Career Network on March 15, 2006. CHP public affairs officer K.J. Schwagerl, was available to discuss career opportunities with CHP including officer and public safety dispatcher positions. The “open house” format allowed job seekers to attend in a “drop in” basis to listen to an overview of the California Highway Patrol, career opportunities, ask questions, and view a video on the CHP officer academy.“I was pleased with the quality of the job seekers and the questions that they asked,” stated officer Schwagerl. “I explained that the CHP offers excellent job and promotional opportunities with diverse duties, and excellent income, and look forward to receiving several applications from today’s attendees.” Officer Schwagerl provided one-on-one counseling to attendees regarding the recruitment process including written and physical tests, interviewing, and the officer academy training.
“We are pleased to offer the ability for employers and job seekers to meet face-to-face to talk about career options, the application process, job requirements, and benefit packages,” said Holly Schirmer, Sr. HR Consultant for the Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. (AFWD) “It is a win, win situation for both job seekers and employers to be able explore potential employment opportunities together.” For more information on job seeker and business services, visit www.aworkforce.org
The California Highway Patrol offers a number of challenging careers in the field of law enforcement. The Department provides an excellent salary, full medical benefits, and up to 90 percent retirement. Both peace officer and non-sworn positions are available. For further information on the CHP, visit /www.chp.ca.gov
Officer Schwagerl meeting with participants.Department of Corrections hosts workshop on how to apply for Office Assistant Positions
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CDCR, in partnership with Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. hosted a workshop at Lassen Career Network for people seeking to apply for office assistance positions with CDCR. “The on-line application process for office assistant positions is new to the department, and by offering this workshop we can explain the process of applying on-line with the state personnel board,” stated Kasey Martinez, Delegated Testing Officer, Susanville, “We are working to build our applicant pool, and are pleased to have access to the Lassen Career Network’s computer lab.” During the workshop, job applicants were able to go on line to the state personnel board website and walk through the process to schedule an exam. Ms. Martinez also showed the attendees how to complete a job application on line, while explaining the qualifications for the office assistant and answering applicants’ questions. The workshop was well attended with over 40 people learning how to schedule an exam and submit an application.Department of Corrections and rehabilitation operates two state prisons in Lassen County. California Correctional Center, opened in 1963, employees 1,184 people and houses approximately 6201 inmates; and High Desert State Prison, opened in 1995 houses approximately 4,000 inmates and employs 1,246 people.
AFWD is very pleased to offer this opportunity to bring job seekers and CDCR together to enhance the ability to fill the workforce needs of both business and job seekers.
Kasey Martinez speaks with potential applicants for CDCR.
Lassen Career Network Unveils a New Job Posting SystemIn response to the growing demand for a “bigger and better” job listing system, the AFWD team in conjunction with all Partners in the One-Stop, developed, designed, built, and implemented a job posting system that allows job seekers and employers easy access to current job openings.
The system that can accommodate up to 80 postings, now allows job seekers to obtain copies of the job postings, application instructions, and employer provided application forms. All jobs are listed according to categories such as administrative, construction, medical, and retail for easy referral. Additionally, there is a section specifically for government jobs.
For employers, the new system offers them enhanced visibility for their business and job openings. And, using the new bins, the employers can include collateral material specific to a particular position and/or their business.
Tara Gowland, recruiter for Tri Counties Bank speaking on the job listing service commented,” We have been very happy with the Lassen Career Network in helping us located qualified candidates for positions in Susanville. Overall, although we post ads in the local newspaper, I have found that the candidates who apply for the position increases once your organization posts the position as well. Having more candidates does increase the chances of finding the best candidate for the position. Several candidates that are represented by your organization are still on file with us and we plan on contacting them for future positions.”
The AFWD team at Lassen Career Network is working on the hot jobs of the week that will allow job seekers to quickly identify all new postings for each week. Each new job listing will include a brightly colored sign on the bin entitled “hot job.” Traci Holt, Director of Operations and Employer Services, noted, “We are very excited to be able to meet the needs of both employers and job seekers by providing them with our new and improved job posting system. Lassen Career Network is truly the “one stop” for the community’s workforce needs.
New Job Board!!
Leadership and Communication WorkshopOn March 23, 2006 Lassen county organizational managers and business owners joined together to participate in Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc.’s workshop on Effective Leadership and Communication.
Facilitated by Laurie Wann, HR consultant for AFWD, attendees discussed improving their relations with their employee teams, team productivity, job stress reduction, and preparing employees for additional responsibilities.Some questions that were addressed were
• Where does employee commitment come from?
• How do leaders enhance employees’ self esteem?
• What is the difference in behavior and attitude?
• Why is team member participation important?
• How do I create a climate of open communication?“Trust is a miracle ingredient,” stated Ms. Wann. “Good leaders follow through, are open and honest. They walk the talk.”
At the conclusion of the workshop participants were encouraged to take the principles presented and apply them in their day-to-day management activities with the goal of enhancing their leadership capabilities, gain employee commitment, and increase production. For more information on available workshops, contact Lassen Career Network at 530-257-5057, or visit www.aworkforce.org
Laurie Wann working her magic with the crowd!!
January 10-13th - Labor Law SeminarsIn January, I presented "Labor Law Update 2006" to 17 employers in Lassen County. I also had the privilege of presenting this workshop to Plumas County businesses in Quincy and Chester. I also traveled to Modoc County and presented to a packed house. In all, well over 100 businesses throughout the tri-county area attended this valuable workshop. For more information on the workshop, please review the presentation.
Office in Herlong
AFWD's satellite office continues to see heavy traffic. In response to the Lear Siegler layoff and the Sierra Army Depot layoffs, AFWD opened a satellite office. The office, located at 2067 California Street, Herlong is staffed Tuesday's, Wednesday's and Thursday's from 9am-1pm for enrolled clients to access the services available to them. Enrolled clients are benefiting from the satellite office, the major benefit being that are clients do not have to drive 45 miles in the wintry elements to visit with their case managers or to job search.
Job Board for dislocated workers at the Herlong office.
Rapid Response Update
The Rapid Response Team has been very busy during the past few months. The team has been working very hard to provide an overview of our services to roughly 253 dislocated workers during the past 5 months. The layoffs mainly came from Lear Siegler and Sierra Army Depot.The next potential round of layoffs for Sierra Army Depot could occur as early as May 27, 2006. The team is ready to respond should the layoff occur.
Sexual Harassment Workshops Continue....
Mark Vegh, a Labor and Employment Law Attorney, with Carr, Kennedy, Peterson & Frost in Redding will be in Susanville at Lassen Career Network on May 17, 2006 to provide Sexual Harassment Training training for those people who did not receive the training in November 2005, and for newly hired/promoted managers or supervisors. Assembly Bill 1825 requires employers with 50 or more employees to ensure their managers and supervisors complete the training. For more information on this and other upcoming trainings, please contact Holly Schirmer at 257-2586 or email Holly at hschirmer@ncen.org
Attorney Mark Vegh
Upcoming Events
April 12th - Recruitment and Retention Workshop
April 26th - Front Line Appreciation Workshop
April 29th - Career Expo
May 10th - Front Line Training Workshop
