Matthew
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. The plant was due to close November 18th, 2022. This had left Matthew wondering what he might do after he no longer had his job and would have to look for work after 2 decades of steady employment.
On November 17, 2022, the day before the plant was ready to shutter its doors, Matthew participated in a Rapid Response event coordinated by LWIA 21, DCEO, IDES and other partners. This Rapid Response helped Matthew and others understand what resources and assistance were readily available to assist with their employment transition.
Matthew filed for his unemployment benefits while he started looking for immediate employment. He came to the Job Center in Litchfield and met with career specialist Dawn Lutz. She was able to help him build his resume and find answers for questions he had about unemployment and the possibility of going back to school and obtaining his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
Matthew had started filling out job applications and had some interviews, but he still kept thinking that he might want to try to get his CDL and drive locally, so he formally filled out a pre-application to see if he would qualify for the WIOA program. Since Matthew qualified as a dislocated worker, he was able consider options for CDL training programs. Matthew chose to go to 160 Driving Academy in Springfield and enroll into their four-week program. Matthew said that everyone was very friendly and helpful and the training went very well.
Matthew graduated from 160 Driving Academy with a Certificate of Training and achieved his Commercial Driver’s License on May 15, 2023. Matthew then started his new truck-driving job for Capitol Group the following week, driving and working in the warehouse. Capitol Group, with its Corporate Headquarters in Springfield, Illinois, is a leading wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating and air conditioning, industrial/mechanical and kitchen products with centers in Springfield, Litchfield, and 6 other locations.
Currently, Matthew continues to reside and work at Capitol’s Litchfield location. Also, as life can take you in an unexpected direction, it can also lead you back in a circle to where you started. It just so happens that Capitol Group purchased the former Schutt/Certor buildings where Matthew ended a 21 year-long job with Schutt and now has started a new job with Capitol Group. Congratulations to Matthew on a successful transition into a new career through services provided by LWIA 21, DCEO and the WIOA program.