Coming into the program, Sean was experiencing some challenges and needed assistance. He was on unemployment after being laid off and was struggling financially. Sean wanted to obtain his CDL so he would be able to have full-time employment year-round.
Michelle was a single mother of 3 when she faced unemployment after being laid off from her position as a grain operator. She came to Vermilion County Works (VCW) with an employment goal already in mind and her education in progress. She was determined to become a Radiologic Technologist and was finishing her prerequisites at Danville Area Community College (DACC) when she was laid off.
Sylvia describes her experience receiving WIOA services in her own words. “Workforce has been such a blessing to me. The whole program itself took a lot of stress off of me so I could focus on my studies while attending Capital Area School of Practical Nursing. CASPN was not easy at all. It takes a lot of planning, dedication and perseverance to be able to finish.
Braiden first heard about WIOA funding assistance while attending welding training at Midwest Technical Institute in Springfield, Illinois. MTI staff had referred him based on eligibility for funding assistance. Braiden decided to attend Midwest Technical Institute after getting laid off in 2021, and he needed new skills to help find employment.
When Matthew first heard about WIOA it was through the unfortunate closure of his employer, Schutt Manufacturing/Certor Sports, located in Litchfield, Illinois. Matthew had been an employee of Schutt for 21 years, and although the plant closure had been talked about for 2 years prior to the actual closing, it did not become a reality for Matthew and the other Schutt employees until they received their 60 day notice in September 2022.
Erika first came to learn about the CEFS/WIOA program through Lake Land College. She needed to secure full-time employment that would have great wages and benefits to support her family. Erika had a dream about wanting to become an RN.