WSD releases March workshop schedule

JOLIET –  The Workforce Center of Will County March schedule, which includes workshops offered by the Workforce Services Division of Will County, Illinois Department of Employment Security and Joliet Junior College, has been released.

    “The WCWC is truly a one-stop center for Will County residents who are seeking employment assistance,” said Susan Flessner, administrative manager of the WSD. “Through all of these agencies, residents can access many different job search programs, hone their job skills, and learn about additional training opportunities.”

A workshop on Microsoft Word will be two hours long to give students more assistance in learning the program. The workshops will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Mondays, March 13 and 27, and at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, March 9 and 23. The basics of how to use Microsoft Word in a job search and in creating a professional looking resume and cover letter will be taught. Basic Microsoft Excel will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Mondays, March 6 and 20, and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, March 2, 16 and 30.

Career scholarships are available to Will County residents who meet eligibility guidelines and are interested in occupations in demand in Will County. The first step in applying for a career scholarship is to attend an Industry Orientation workshop. Four sessions are available based on the industry or occupation. To register, go to www.jobs4people.org or call (815) 727-4444. Sessions are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. every Monday, 9 a.m. Tuesdays, 9:30 Wednesdays and 1:30 p.m. Thursdays.

OJT Orientation will be offered at 10 a.m. Mondays. On the job training is available to Will County residents interested in learning new skills while working. It is available in a range of industries including manufacturing, healthcare, information technology and transportation, warehousing and logistics.

At 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, March 7, 14 and 28, and 10:30 a.m. Fridays, March 3, 10 and 17, Workforce Services Division will present Illinois JobLink, a workshop teaching users how to register on Illinois JobLink by creating and uploading resumes to the site, with tips on how to get the most views from employers. Also on the agenda will be how to search for jobs on the site and how to complete a work search record.

Math Review will be offered at 2 p.m. Tuesdays. A review of basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, percentages and integers will be covered.

Re-employment Workshop gives job seekers an overview of resources that includes networking, completing applications, resumes, interviewing and Illinois JobLink. Sessions will be offered at 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday in March.  

A session on job search skills, Master Your Job Search, will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 31. The workshops will include a review of basic job search techniques, including networking and how to use the internet to conduct a job search.

Standout Resumes will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 3. Attendees will learn the basics of creating a competitive resume and cover letter. Participants may then schedule one-on-one resume reviews with WSD staff.

Participants will learn job interviewing techniques at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, in Successful Interviewing. Learn how to prepare for a job interview, be confident and make a positive impression. Attendees may schedule an individual, digitally recorded mock interview after completing the workshop.

Networking Workshop will help job seekers learn how to develop relationships and contacts with relatives, friends and acquaintances that can assist with the job search. This class also shows how social media fits in with networking for employment. The workshop will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 24. 

Workshops last about an hour, depending upon class size, except for Microsoft Word. They are offered at no cost to Will County residents.

Career Cafe will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays. Career Cafe is a networking event designed to connect people looking for work. In addition to sharing tips with other job seekers and learning job search techniques, participants will hear from guest speakers sharing their hiring expertise. To reserve a seat at Career Cafe, call (815) 727-4444 or register on  www.jobs4people.org. 

All workshops except Industry Orientation are offered on a walk-in basis.

In addition, Workforce Services Division and the Illinois Department of Employment Security are joining each week to host a job fair. In March, the two-hour sessions will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, 9 a.m. Friday, March 10, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, 9 a.m. Thursday, March 23, and 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 29.

WSD is in the Workforce Center of Will County, 2400 Glenwood Ave., Suite 100.  For more information about the Workforce Services Division of Will County, go to www.jobs4people.org.

WSD is led by Flessner and is under Will County Executive Larry Walsh’s office.