Submitted by Janis R. Trueblood

September 30 - December 31, 2003

231 Main Street, Quincy, CA 95971
(530) 283-1606
www.aworkforce.org

 

"CHANGE"

IS THE THEME FOR

PLUMAS AFWD

WE HAVE TO MOVE THE ONE-STOP!

The Plumas Employment & Training Center has been open for business serving customers since 1996. Partner agencies who have shared this office complex with AFWD include Plumas County Department of Social Services CalWORKs Program, State of California Employment Development Department, Plumas County Mental Health Services, Feather River College, Plumas County Office of Education, State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Plumas County Victim-Witness Program, Sierra College Small Business Development Center, Social Security and the Quincy Chamber of Commerce. The partnerships and streamlined delivery of services to employers and job seekers has developed and expanded over the years to becoming "the place to go" for many of our customers.

Unfortunately, due to a building maintenance issue beyond our control, the partners of the Employment & Training Center found themselves in a position to have to temporarily move from their comfortable residence to other locations. The State of California Employment Development Department has had to take residence with peer state agency, the Department of Motor Vehicles. The Plumas County CalWORKs and Mental Health staff find themselves working in smaller quarters at the already overcrowded Department of Social Services offices, and Alliance for Workforce Development was fortunate to find office space available for their staff at 231 Main Street located in the Quincy Post Office Complex.

The goal for all of the partners is to reunite within the next eight months. But for now, customers are finding us and continuing to get top-notch services from staff. The partners have vowed to assist each other in making sure appropriate referrals and information get to our customers with a continued "one-stop" approach (even though they may have to make two stops occasionally).

 

The Plumas Workforce Development Team is working together to support local business!

Members of the Plumas Workforce Development Team includes representatives from the Employment Development Department, Plumas Corporation, Plumas Rural Services, Plumas County Office of Education, Feather River College, Plumas County CalWORKs, Alliance for Workforce Development, and the Small Business Development Center.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Quarterly Conference Employment Tax Seminar - January 8-9, 2004

Quarterly Conference Workers Compensation Seminar - March 4-5, 2004

8th Annual Seasonal Job Fair - Late March 2004

 
CAREER DAY IN QUINCY

Career Day was approached a little differently by the Plumas Workforce Development Team this year with focus on 7th & 8th grade students at Quincy Jr/Sr High School.

With over 20 guest speakers from the business community ranging from cosmotology to animal rescue to surveyor to athletic trainer. The youth who attended had an opportunity to speak to four different occupational areas based on their expressed interest. The great thing about this rotation sequence to the various guest speakers is that the groups were small allowing one-on-one interaction.

AFWD Youth Program Coordinator Shawna Kolb stated "It was a great deal of work, but it turned out excellent. The entire Workforce Development Team is very pleased with the students attentiveness and good behavior as well as the great response we received from the local business community."

One of the highlights this year was the forensic scientist out of Chico who brought "CSI" to Quincy. Feather River College brought a wealth of expertise to this year's Career Day with a variety of speakers including criminal justice, professional athletics, recreation, and natural resources.

Thanks to the many individuals who makes this worthwhile project such a huge success!!

SUCCESS STORIES FROM JEFF FINCH, AFWD EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST

I met Jessica-Lynn earlier this year from a referral through Feather River College. She had been employed through FRC in a student work program part-time while attending school full-time. After completing her AA degree, her position with the college ended and she was highly interested in securing full-time employment.

After interviewing Jessica-Lynn, it was determined that she had a limited work history and was in need of assistance with job search techniques. Jessica-Lynn was enthusiastic and dedicated to participating with AFWD to establish a "game plan" for job search that would lead to satisfying and gainful employment.

Jessica-Lynn is one of many participants with a college degree that has experienced difficulty securing employment. She was able to secure interim employment in Quincy without difficulty but unable to "land" full-time employment. Through staff assistance we enhanced her job search skills through workshops, paper packaging, and interviewing preparation and practice.

Needless to say, after much dedication and hard work, Jessica-Lynn found what she was looking for....a full-time position at the Evergreen Market in Greenville in the Bakery. Jessica-Lynn states "I really love it here, it's a great place to work and I have a variety of responsibilities which makes the job interesting every day."

It has been almost a year now since I first met with Neil Berston. Neil had lost his position as the Computer Security Specialist with Harrah's Casino in Stateline, Nevada due to a consolidation purchase of Harvey's Casino. He was evaluating options for a new career when he stopped by the Employment & Training Center in Quincy.

Once we determined Neil as an eligible Dislocated Worker, we began exploring career options through assessment and labor market research. Neil started an out-of-area job search with the assistance of AFWD staff. Although he was unable to secure employment in his field of choice, "computer technology", he did secure a survival job with a local grocery store. This did not offer Neil the challenge or needed income he was seeking so we continued to work together to find him a better job.

Over a period of several months, AFWD continued to assist with out-of-area job search, paper packaging, interviewing skills, and job leads. Finally, the Nugget in Sparks, Nevada was interested in meeting with Neil for a position with their Department of Management Information Systems. Neil was ready for this opportunity!

Once he was interviewed, there seemed to be no doubt that Neil was exactly what the Nugget Casino was looking for, so Neil started as a MIS Manager in September 2003. He states that he really enjoys this work and he appreciated all the help that he received.

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2004!

Last year, I had a "clip art" picture of a baby but this year we have pictures of the first baby born in Plumas County in the year 2004, who just happens to be the grandson of our own Program Manager, Nancy Gregg!

Of course he is the most beautiful baby boy ever born in the AFWD family! (notice my political correctness considering there were two baby girls born this year in the AFWD family)....Congratulations Traci Holt with beautiful Ashley and Wendy Luna with the equally beautiful Heidi)

Below are daughter Kelsey and grandson Kai Hostetter