Quarterly Community Coordination Report
January - March 2003

Submitted by Janis R. Trueblood

Quarterly Conference - Janaury 16-17

WEBSITE DESIGN

Presented by Professor Chris Connell, Feather River College

GROUP HEALTH

Presented by Paula Johnston, Plumas Rural Services

With the rising costs of today's health insurance coverage, many small businesses are trying to develop innovative ways to keep their employee health coverage (a vital retention tool), without going bankrupt. Although there is no easy answer, Human Resource Manager, Paula Johnston, offered some great ideas that can assist business with these tough decisions. Paula shared with the attendees the challenges recently faced by Plumas Rural Services, a non-profit organization and one of Plumas County's largest employers with 95 employees. Their trials & tribulations helped the conference participants develop an action plan to approach their decision making through evaluation which includes employee's input. The workshop attendees were put "at ease" by Paula because she was giving them ideas, not trying to sell them a product. The evaluations from this workshop were all excellent

WEBSITE INITIATIVE 2003

Sponsored by NoRTEC at the Plumas Employment & Training Center

“Excellent”, “Fantastic”, and “Inspiring” were just some of the praises earned by Dina Cipollaro who presented the up-beat and practical seminar that focused on ways to turn customers into raving fans. Cipollaro prefers the term “guests” rather than “customers”, noting the mind-shift that accompanies the change in perspecitve. “We are more apt to provide better service when we think of people who come into our businesses as invited guests. We welcome them into our store, use their names, take care of their needs, thank them for coming, and invite them back - just like we would treat guests in our homes. People respond to this kind of treatment, and come back for more!”

“Guest Services Magic” is part of a pilot program being tested by Plumas Corporation, Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc., Feather River College and the Board of Supervisors. According to Mary Kolonay, Information Specialist for the Plumas County Visitor’s Bureau, “The seminar was a preview of a curriculum these organizations are considering purchasing jointly for use throughout the county. We feel there is strong need for a product like this which focuses on how to equip business owners and their staff to exceed customer expectations, turning them into lifelong customers and reducing employee turnover.”

A participant survey was conducted which indicated that almost 95% of the employers who attended the seminar were so impressed with the tools they learned that they would be willing to pay a nominal fee to have their employees attend a similar program. Some of the specific areas of interest included developing a positive attitude toward customers, developing good salesmanship skills, handling problem customers, and knowing where other attractions and services are in the county.

Gumba's hired 17 people as a result of the Job Fair!

Sometimes it helps to have a friend!

This young man needs a JSW....body language counts.

After the seminar and a revitalizing catered lunch, 60 employers returned for the Job Fairs at each location with a whopping 450 combined positions to fill.

The job seekers poured in at 3:00, eager to interview for seasonal and permanent jobs including waitresses, cooks, housekeepers, landscapers, daycare workers, clerks, park aides and many more. By 5:00, the number of job seekers had reached 139 in Graeagle with only 70 in Chester.

Most employers were in agreement, pleased with the number of qualified applications they received. Patrick Eagle with Grizzly Creek Ranch had high praise, stating, “I’ve been to many Job Fairs across the state, and this is the best one I have ever been to.”

Overall the Employer Seminar and Job Fair was “wonderful” according to Cathy Wilburn, Employment Development Department. “It’s a great opportunity for both employers and job seekers. The seminars bring employers to one central location for four hours so they can gather information to make their businesses more successful. The job fair gives employers and job seekers a chance to do a lot of interviewing in one afternoon. It’s exciting to watch jobs being offered and accepted, and knowing we’re helping to make a difference.”

As the dust settled, many positions were filled, and many more will be filled over the next few weeks as second interviews are conducted and references are checked. Employers keep applications on file for future positions as well.

Interested job seekers can review all the positions that remain open posted on the CalJobs website: www.caljobs.ca.gov.

The 7th annual Plumas County Employer Seminar and Job Fair is a result of strong collaboration between the many agencies that work together through partnerships at the Employment and Training Center, and the Workforce Development Team.

There is a little show in the Bay Area called "Hooked on Golf" which my good friend encouraged me to watch one day! If you are an avid golfer, you would really love the show. The gentleman on the left is the producer and co-anchor of the show, John Abendroth, who just so happened to be at our Graeagle Job Fair representing Plumas Pines! For more information go to Hooked On Golf

 

We welcome CalWORKs employee, Susan Dorsey to our TEAM of friendly professionals. Susan was hired by the Plumas County Department of Social Services as clerical support to the CalWORKs program and serves as our afternoon Receptionist at the Plumas Employment & Training Center. Susan is a pleasure to have "on-board" and has jumped right in and proven herself to be a great asset to our Center! Susan states, "This job is exactly what I enjoy doing and everyone made me feel welcome. I love it!!". We love Susan too, she made us a huge plate of homemade fudge!....Yum!

PERSONNEL POLICIES HELPS NEW BUSINESS

Corey's Automotive opened in Quincy in early January with a father-son team approach and an excitement to become the best in area! James Corey took advantage of all of the great services offered through the local One-Stop Business and Employment Center by attending the Website Initiative 2003 training and getting his new business on the web!

The following week he spent the day at the Center preparing his Personnel Policies utilizing the "Ultimate Employer" software. "We are so pleased with the services we have received" states Office Manager Trudy Detrick,"I have referred others to take advantage of all the great business services ETC offers".

Spring Has Sprung!