CAREER CONNECTIONS MAY 2022
FIND YOUR NEXT
CAREER PATH
WELCOME, ESSENCE!
MEET OUR NEW CAREER PLANNER!
Essence Clark We'd love to welcome Essence Clark to our Workforce Family! She is out newest Career Planner with Workforce Services Division of Will County. Essence, a native of Joliet, IL, comes to us with over 20 years of experience in Career Services/Workforce Development. She has her Bachelor's in Applied Psychology from University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Masters in Human Resource Management and Development from National Louis University. During her tenure at DeVry University, she was chosen as a TEACH Honoree.
About Essence Essence has worked in many surrounding schools in workforce development, including:
Joliet Junior College ITT Technical Institute DeVry University Prairie State College
She has been a top producing Real Estate Broker with Carter Realty Group since 2017, consistently awarded for top sales! Over One Million dollars in Volume in 2017, 2019; Over Two Million Dollars in Volume in 2020; Over Four Million Dollars of Volume in 2021).
Organizations & Affiliations Generation Dance Company Dance Teacher for over 20 years Joliet Branch NAACP Education Committee National Hook-Up of Black Women Joliet Zonta Club
MAY 2022
TEACHERS ARE
IN DEMAND
SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS WHO MEET ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
TEACHER SHORTAGE STATISTICS 88% of schools say they have a shortage problem, 77% say the shortage is getting worse. 96% of schools report a substitute teacher shortage. More than 2,000 positions are either not filled, or filled by someone not qualified to teach. Statistics found by IARSS, 2021 Illinois Educator Shortage Supply https://iarss.org/2021-educator-shortage/
DID YOU KNOW?
Teachers are needed worldwide but are especially needed in our state of Illinois. With over 2,000 current openings for teachers throughout the state, teaching is now an in-demand occupation, according to Illinois WorkNet. Education degrees are now eligible for career scholarships through WIOA funding for individuals interested in pursuing a career in teaching or education. WIOA (Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act) is a grant-funded program that serves individuals and job seekers while helping employers with their workforce needs. WIOA scholarships can be used one time, up to $10,000, and are eligible for the following teaching degrees: Pre-K & Kindergarten Teachers Elementary School Teachers Middle School Teachers High School Teachers Special Education Teachers To find out if you qualify for a career scholarship, visit jobs4people.org/job-seekers/training call 815-727-4444 option 0 to make an appointment email careerservices@jobs4people.org to make an appointment To see other in-demand occupations, visit https://www.illinoisworknet.com/explore/Pages/DemandOccs.aspx
Teaching is one of the largest occupations in the U.S. The job outlook for the next ten years is expected to grow by 8%! REF: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.html
IN THE WORKFORCE
Celebrating
AAPI 5.6% Latinx 15.4%
Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month
Black and African American 10.6%
White 68.4%
In 2020, there were 9.4 million persons employed who identified as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) in the U.S., comprising 5.6% of the total professional workforce. Source: https://usafacts.org/data/topics/economy/jobs-and-income/jobs-andwages/employment/
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Sites you can visit to learn more about Asian & Pacific American Heritage month:
LEARN MORE Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is an annual celebration recognizing cultural and historical contributions of individuals with Asian or Pacific American descent. In 1977, Frank Horton, a Representative in New York, proposed the House Joint Resolution 540, proclaiming that the first ten days of May be recognized as Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week. In the same year, Senator Daniel Inouye introduced a similar resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 72. Neither resolution passed. In 1978, Representative Horton proposed House Joint Resolution 1007. This resolution proposed that the President "proclaim a week, which includes the seventh and tenth of the month,
during the first ten days in May of 1979 as 'Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week." This joint resolution was passed by the House and Senate and then signed by Jimmy Carter on October 5th, 1978, becoming public law. This celebration was seven days beginning on May 4th. Over time, presidents announced and passed annual proclamations to celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. In 1990, Congress expanded the observance from a week to an month. Under George H.W. Bush's administration, in 1992, Public Law 201-540 was passed. This annually designated May the AAPI heritage month.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Website https://asianpacificheritage.gov/ Ascend Pan-Asian Leaders https://www.ascendleadership.org/ History.com https://www.history.com/topics/holidays /asian-american-pacific-islanderheritage-month PBS.org https://www.pbs.org/specials/asianpacific-american-heritage-month/
DID YOU Workforce Center of Will County is an Equal Opportunity Employer & Program! Our services are free to residents of Will County. KNOW?
Workforce Center of Will County
Workforce Center of Will County Joliet, IL
Workforce Center of Will County is on the web, are you following us? We currently have Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin We post new jobs that come from local businesses, upcoming events & resource fairs, and information about our services and partners! Curious about our services? At no cost, we offer: Career Scholarships Career Planning Resume Review/Development On the Job Training (OJT) IDES Employment Services IDES Veterans Services Educational Workshops Connect to Your Future (Youth Program, age 1824) #job #jobs4people #willcounty You and 389 people liked this. Leave a comment...
DID YOU Local Will County businesses can post their job openings on our job board for free! We'll even post your flyers on social media to our KNOW? 7,000+ combined followers!
Mental Health Awareness Month May 2022
Statistics Provided by NAMI (2020) https://www.nami.org/mhstats
1 in 5 adults experienced mental illness in 2020.
19.1% of adults experience an Anxiety Disorder
Across the U.S. economy, serious mental illness causes a loss of $193.2 billion in earnings each year.
Milions of Americans face the reality of living with mental illness. The month of May calls for Mental Health Awareness month, providing resources, education, support, and advocation. Across all industies and fields, employees and employers have the opportunity to advocate for mental health in the workplace.
Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace Many workplaces are now finding ways prioritizing mental health. Some include it within their health benefits package, others may be added in the form of subscription services like Headspace or CALM. Advocating for mental health in the workplace helps increase and improve overall job satisfaction, engagement, and overall health. Learn to support Mental Health in the workplace below:
Promote Self Care
Be sure to maintain work/life balance. Keep to your schedule and set healthy boundries. Outside of work, stay connected with loved ones, prioritize hygeine, and exercise.
Address Isolation/Lonliness
Further Your Knowledge
Feeling lonely or "out of touch" can make it difficult to stay engaged in the workplace. Build high quality relationships in the workplace, and create opportunities to learn more about each other. Promoting heahy relaitonships aids in cultural shifts and creates a safe space for employees.
NAMI
Ensure your workplace adopts a "you are not alone" strategy. Reducing the stigma starts with you. Allowing access to mental-health experts or organizations and having the information readily available. Organizations may include the Stability Network, NAMI, or one in your local area.
APA Foundation Center for Workplace Mental Health
Champion Mental Health Initiatives
https://www.nami.org/mhstats https://www.nami.org
https://workplacementalhealth.org
Show Your Support
Take the time to learn and develop a mental health wellness toolkit, including services that others may find useful. Plan activities for your workplace to encourage coworkers to get the help they may need.
DID YOU We have staff members trained in Mental Health First Aid at the Workforce Center of Will County! KNOW?
HOTLINE RESOURCES Crisis Line of Will County 815-722-3344 Non-emergency: 815-7445280 United Way Will/Grundy Call 211 Call4Calm Text TALK or HABLAR to 552020 Text HOME to 741741
to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7
National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255 English 1-888-628-9454 Spanish 711, 1-800-273-8255 Deaf & Hard of Hearing https://suicidepreventionlifeli ne.org/talk-to-someonenow/ Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline 800-662-4357 NAMI Will-Grundy 815-409-7917 Veteran's Crisis Line 800-273-8255, PRESS 1 Text 838255 The Trevor Project
for LGBTQ Youth
1-866-488-7386
The Trans Lifeline 1-877-565-8860
Mental Health Awareness Month May 2022
OTHER RESOURCES Psychology.com Find a licensed counselor or therapist in your area OpenCounseling.com Find free and affordable therapy near you Will County Mental Health Center https://willcountyhealth.org / behavioral-health/ Will County Health Department https://willcountyhealth.org Grundy Health Department https://www.grundycountyil. gov/health/ Will County Center for Community Concerns https://wcccc.net/programs -services/ NAMI Will-Grundy https://namiwillgrundy.org/
S S N A P SN NA AP P
(FREE!) SERVICES PROVIDED BY WCWC
S S H O T SH HO OT T The Workforce Center of Will County, located at 2400 Glenwood Avenue in Joliet, IL, is much more than meets the eye. The Workforce Center serves as a one-stop location for employment and career needs. Misconceptions of what the center, often being thought of as the "unemployment office" or a "staffing agency," these notions are both incorrect. Workforce Center
of
Will
County
assists
residents
with
unemployment, underemployment, dislocated workers, returning citizens, and much more through the help of their partners; each dedicated to helping you find your career path. Core partners, located either near or in the center, include: Workforce Services Division of Will County Joliet Junior College Joliet Job Corps IDES IDHS
To learn more about the different services and resources offered by the partners with Workforce Center of Will County, continue reading or visit or click on each partner's link.
WWW.JOBS4PEOPLE.ORG 815-727-4444 INFO@JOBS4PEOPLE.ORG / CAREERSERVICES@JOBS4PEOPLE.ORG The Workforce Services Division of Will County is focused connecting job seekers, businesses, and youth while providing services at no cost. Funded by the WIOA grant, eligible Will County Residents are able to return to school with a scholarship of up to $10,000 for indemand career occupations. WSD maintains the one-stop operator known as Workforce Center of Will County. To learn more about career scholarships, visit jobs4people.org/job-seekers/training/ To learn more about in-demand occupations, visit https://www.illinoisworknet.com/explore/Pages/DemandOccs.aspx
JOB SEEKER SERVICES
BUSINESS SERVICES
Local Job Board- Will County Businesses post their jobs
Local Job Board- Post your job openings at no charge,
directly to our website for you to apply to. All postings are
candidates can apply directly to your company
checked, meaning no fake/spam jobs like on other job
Local Job Fairs- Attend one of our job fairs to meet with local
boards
job seekers
Local Job Fairs- Workforce Services has career and
Training Grants- Hire candidates through us and we can help
resource fairs monthly, with local employers looking to
offset their wages during the training period. New equipment
hire! Previous job fairs include Returning Citizens
or process? Let us help you to get employees trained.
Career/Resource Fair, Individuals with Disabilities
Business Resources- Need information on wages for your
Career/Resource Fair, County of Will Career Fair, and more.
occupations, interested in the economic conditions in the
Career Plan/Résumé Review - Meet with a Certified
County, we can provide a vast array of data and analysis on
Professional Career Coach or a Certified Professional
labor trends
Résumé Writer to determine your next steps in your career. Career Scholarships- Are you interested in a career in
MOBILE WORKFORCE CENTER
Healthcare, Manufacturing,
The Mobile Workforce Center travels throughout Will County
Professional/Financial/Information Technology, or
offering a variety of services for job seekers, including
Transportation/Distribution/Logistics? WSD may be able
computers with internet access for online applications & job
to provide a career scholarship to help pay for your
searches, the ability to create/revise a competitive résumé
degree/certification.
and an online job board with listings from Will County
RESOURCE ROOM
businesses. Staff will be available to assist job seekers inside these sites if the Mobile Workforce Center is off the road for
The Workforce Services Division of Will County helps staff
maintenance.
the Resource Room at the Workforce Center of Will County.
Community organizers and businesses can now request the
The Resource Room offers a variety of services for job
MWC at their next event. More details are available at:
seekers including:
https://www.jobs4people.org/new-service-mwc/
Computers with résumé development software Internet access for job searches and career information Books and other materials on various job search topics Copier and fax machine for job search activities Assistance with cover letters and employment applications Keyboarding software to brush up on your keyboarding skills
DID YOU Current partners with Workforce Center of Will County include IDES, DRS, JJC, Joliet Job Corps, and more! Visit Will.Works for more KNOW? information today!
Hunter Lash
Q: Why did you want to go into your field? Hunter: Growing up I always had this passion for technology and engineering. Almost everyone could relate to building Legos or Lincoln-Logs. Although I love them both, I really started by building computers and 3D Printing. The idea of designing a product that fixed or solved a problem, then manufacturing it really intrigued me. In high school along with other math and physics classes I had the opportunity to learn Computer Aided Design (CAD) and loved it! From there on I have geared my studies toward engineering. I 3D printed a very efficient mouse trap car in physics, went to JJC for the IDEA CAD competition, I even went to the state finals for the construction of a Basswood bridge. Today I am very grateful to have found this passion. I love the field I have gotten into and I hope everyone can find their field that they love. Q: How did the Connect to Your Future program help you achieve your goals? Hunter: The Connect to Your Future program was perfect for me! The team of people were very helpful getting me enrolled into classes geared toward my field. They will also help you find internships in your field. Honestly one of the greatest decisions of my life! I owe a big thanks to all of my Workforce Development Coordinators! Q: Are you currently working in your field? Hunter: I worked in the manufacturing field throughout my time at JJC but was offered another opportunity in construction. Although I don’t work in my studied field anymore, I am able to use the skills I learned in class and at work and apply them into the projects I work on today.
Connect To Your Future
SUCCESSSTORIES I didn't let my challenges stop me from my goals, they shouldn’t for you either. Q: Do you plan to further your education and pursue a bachelor's degree? Where? Hunter: Currently, I plan to continue working as a Project Engineer at Nichols Crane in Joliet. I would also like to continue with school and graduate with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at either Purdue or University of Southern Alabama. Q: What is your favorite quote? Hunter: Learn, Laugh, and Love. Without those you won't Live. Q: What advice do you have for other youth in our area? Hunter: The world is yours! It’s your life and the only person that can achieve your goals is you. This world is full of challenges, at least that's the way I look at it. Whatever those challenges are, use them to empower your motivation to achieve those goals. Trust me, I've had plenty of challenges! I didn't let my challenges stop me from my goals, they shouldn’t for you either.
START YOUR FUTURE AT HTTP://YOURPATHYOURFUTURE.ORG
DID YOU Joliet Junior College has a Department of Adult Education & Literacy, which provides preparation to earn your GED, high school diploma, KNOW? college opportunities, or learn English as a Second Language (ESL) at JJC for free. Find more information at Will.Works and click on JJC.
RECOGNITION AWARDS Workforce Center of Will County presents awards for Individual Achievement and Business Leadership.
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PATRICK O'BRIEN "If there was one roadblock that this program helped me overcome on the path to employment, it was the opportunity to network. My personality leans toward me being an introvert, and with the techniques taught I was able to engage with others in the same situation. I was pushed outside of my comfort zone and it was an invaluable part of helping me land the right position." Pictured with his career planner & Career Development Manager , Lisa Borrelli.
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD OMNI GEAR & MACHINE CORPORATION Omni Gear is a local business that specialized in the manufacturing of precision-machined custom gears in a variety of sizes or types. They have been in Will County for over 32 years. The owner of Omni Gear, Keith Mellen, was introduced to Cleopatra Cook of E&ES to help fill open positions through the OJT (On-the-Job Training) program. Pictured with Sr. Business Account Executive of E&ES, Cleopatra Cook
To read the complete article for our award winners, read Illinois Workforce Partnership - 2021 Awards Recognition by Shaw Media - Issuu
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EMAIL LIST!
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https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FCDFHLZ to sign up!
If you or a loved one are struggling with opioid or substance use disorder, please visit https://www.choosehelp.com/illinois
FIGHTING THE
IN WILL COUNTY COLLECTION SITES Joliet Township High School 300 Caterpillar Dr, Joliet, IL 60436
Workforce Center of Will County 2400 Glenwood Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
Will County Executive Office 302 N Chicago Street Joliet, IL 60432
Will County Land Use 58 E Clinton Street #500 Joliet, IL 60432
DONATION ITEMS NEEDED Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Brush/Combs, Socks, Journals & Pens, Lip Balm, Lotion, Calendars, Hard Candy, Laundry Detergent, 6 Large Laundry Baskets, Twin Sheets/Bedding, Organizers/Daily Planners
Opioid overdose deaths have reached epidemic proportions throughout the US. In Will County alone, there have been 21 deaths in the last three months due to opioid use disorder. The youngest was only 19 years old.
DONATE TO THE OPIOID CRISIS TOILETRY COLLECTION DRIVE. MAY 9TH - MAY 20TH, 2022 Items collected will be donated to Sober Living Homes in Will County. There are 9 recovery homes where approximately 100 individuals reside while completing their journey to sober living. Opioid and substance use disorder does not discriminate and can happen to anyone. All Will County residents can play an active role in reducing the stigma of opioid and substance use disorders while encouraging recovery.
