Richard
Richard Arsenault came to workNet DuPage seeking help after unsuccessfully searching for employment for several months. Richard was previously employed in the hospitality industry and lost his job at the height of the Pandemic. He was struggling to make ends meet and was becoming increasingly despondent about his employment options. Richard was apprehensive about returning to the hospitality industry given the Pandemic and was contemplating a career change but needed direction and guidance. Shortly thereafter, Richard began working with Katrina, a Career Planner at workNet DuPage. Katrina assisted him with career exploration using the various tools available at workNet DuPage including interest profiles, industry, and labor market research.
Richard also took the initiative to do his own industry and occupational research. He contacted a friend who owns a trucking company, and was able to gain valuable insight from his friend about the trucking industry as well as details about truck driving as a profession. Between Katrina’s guidance and his research, Richard decided to pursue training to earn his Commercial Drivers License. Richard successfully completed his training in six weeks and secured employment within one week of completing training. Richard is currently a CDL driver at Synagro WWT, Inc. and started at $22/hour. After only nine months on the job, he has achieved the highest level of the company’s Safe Driver Program, one of only 13 drivers in the entire company to do so.
Richard says the following about the WIOA program: “In summary all I can say is that the services and assistance provided by the WIOA program and guidance from Katrina allowed me to acquire new job skills and have led directly to my current position. I’ve already earned performance awards and recognition from my peers. In addition, my wife and I have purchased a beautiful home in the county. I’m forever grateful for the key to success that the WIOA program has proved to be.”