Individual Achievement Award: 2018

Jimmy visited the Job Center of Lake County for assistance, where he learned about the many services available, including the Revive Lake County program. Revive Lake County is a 5-week curriculum-driven cohort focusing on skills to prepare returning citizens for the workforce.

Bernadette, a single mother from Uganda with four children, was completing her final semester at college when she applied to Workforce Network for training assistance.

Tamarius enrolled in the WIOA Youth Elevate program where he attended Career Readiness classes to gain employability skills and receive career guidance. Tamarius had a rough time at first since he was painfully shy. It was difficult for him to participate in required activities, such as mock job interviews. Youth Elevate staff worked with him to prepare and guide him through the process.

Ashley found herself out of a job with the closure of Robertshaw. She had worked there for 10 years as a Machine Operator earning $13.56 per hour. She was a high school graduate but didn’t have many skills to offer employers and few job options. 

Hector was in his mid-forties, supporting a wife and 2 children, when he was laid off from Honeywell. Hector had been employed at Honeywell since graduating from high school in 1994, and expected to work there until retirement.

Buba, a 24-year old mother of an 8-year-old daughter, was fleeing a violent environment in Eritea, Africa when she entered the United States as a refugee. Determined to succeed, Bubba enrolled in the Polysomnography program at the College of DuPage through WIOA grant funded assistance.

“I feel great, I’m back in my boys’ lives, I’m making money, life is good and my confidence is good,” is what Karl said after receiving career services at the South Suburban Cook County American Job Center at Prairie State College (AJC).

Michael, a 17-year-old ex-high school student, enrolled in the “Connect to Your Future” youth program at the Workforce Services Division of Will County to earn his GED.  While in the program Mike was placed in a six-month paid internship.

Ramon came to Grundy Workforce Services the summer after he finished high school. Having been exposed to CADD during his time at Grundy Area Vocational Center, he began working on his A.A.S degree in Computer Aided Design and Drafting.

Maurice  has achieved great success since entering the program at Kewanee Life Skills Re-Entry Center, located in Local Workforce Investment Area 13. Maurice had to complete an application and an essay to qualify for placement at the center. 

Stephanie was eligible for WIOA assistance through our program for “Out-of-School” youth. At the age of 21, she enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing program at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, graduating with Honors and passing her board exams to become a Licensed Registered Nurse.

Seth had been “laid off” from his job at a machine shop in Pekin when he came to the Havana, Illinois, Career Link office seeking training assistance. Although Seth had years of experience as a team leader, extensive “hands-on” knowledge of manufacturing, mechanics, and basic electronics, he needed the proper credentials to find another job that would allow him to provide for his family. As a result, Seth decided to work toward earning an Associate’s degree in Applied Science.

Katrina entered the WIOA program as an “out-of-school youth” seeking to earn her GED. In spite of traumatic experiences in her earlier life, she found the courage and determination to succeed.

Aderion came to the Workforce Development Center in Danville in March of 2018. He was referred to our office through the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS-DRS) and Worksource Enterprises, a local service provider for DRS. He had been out of work for several years, but was eager to return to the workforce.

When Mindy applied for services from Workforce Investment Solutions, she was a 37-year-old single parent with 3 teenage children. She was eligible for WIOA Adult funding and chose the LPN training program at Capital Area School of Nursing in Springfield, Illinois.

Dan, married with a 3-year-old daughter, was 37 when he was laid off from his welding position paying $13.13 per hour. Dan was interested in finding new work as a Vet Tech, and hoping to be placed in the On-the-Job Training program soon as possible. Based on Dan’s test scores and local labor market information, Dan’s Career Planner advised him toward a career in Nursing.

Johnathan visited the Robinson Center seeking assistance after being “laid off” from a local manufacturing plant where he had worked as a mig-welder. Johnathan was interested in pursuing a more “in-demand” occupation and needed to upgrade his skills.

LWIA 24 staff brief every Transition Assistance Program (TAP) class at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois. All transitioning military personnel must attend a TAP class. Shortly after his TAP briefing, Steven visited the St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department to discuss strategies and learn more about opportunities available throughout the region, as well as ways Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs could assist in his transition.

Stephanie, a single mom with 2 small children, came to Man-Tra-Con for career development assistance. She had been working part-time as a server at Bob Evans. With her career specialist’s assistance, Stephanie enrolled in the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program at John A. Logan College (JALC).