Cali
McHenry County Workforce has multiple tools in the program toolbox to build a skilled workforce. Some job seekers may require more than one.
Being laid off from work and being unemployed can feel like hole that is difficult to climb out. Cali’s job lay off with Stack-On Products started a string of positive career and life changing decisions. That layoff was impacted by foreign trade and Cali was eligible for TAA benefits. The first tool needed was occupational skills training through the TAA grant. Her father had recently passed and there were other things in her life that needed her attention at the time, but she had to decide on training. Cali was unsure how she would manage everything at the time but later stated, “I knew that if I didn’t get the training now I would never do it.”
She worked with McHenry County Workforce to pull together all the Trade requirements to start her Occupational training. Cali needed to pick a career. Through an assessment process with her career planner at McHenry County Workforce she realized that her choice of an accounting career was not the best fit for her. She decided on office management.
Cali started her classes at MCC for Administrative Office Management Certificate training. She attended classes full time, cared for an infant and toddler while also working part time as a waitress. With determination she completed the training as scheduled.
The second tool was to connect Cali with an opportunity to use her learned skills and a second chance. Cali started a Work Experience through McHenry County Workforce at Miller Formless to put her classroom skills into practice. After 2 weeks in the workplace she had demonstrated that same determination and she received an offer for a position as Office Administrator
The third tool was an apprenticeship to bring her to her professional career goal. McHenry County Workforce assisted her to continue her skill and career development in a Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship. Cali started a Human Resource Registered Apprenticeship. She receives On the Job Training through Miller Formless and the related classroom instruction through the Society of Human Resource Management, SHRM. She currently represents the company at job fairs as well as other recruitment and HR duties while contributing to a growing company.
Cali is a member of Society of Human Resource Management and a member of the local affiliate Stateline SHRM. Cali is a volunteer in the community speaking with job seekers that need a second chance and a presenter on Getting Talent Back to Work. She is on track to obtain her SHRM- CP before the end of the year.
When asked about the Workforce Programs, Cali replied: “Without the assistance of the McHenry County Workforce, I would not have known about the agencies and programs available to assist me in furthering my career. This knowledge gave me the confidence to obtain my goals and to keep striving for more”