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Community Corner

Successful Will County job seekers honored

    JOLIET – The Workforce Investment Board of Will County has announced that two men, J. Jay Conley and Rashad Randolph, received Achievement Awards from the Illinois Workforce Partnership. 

     Each honoree utilized the programs and services available at Workforce Services Division of Will County to get job search assistance or occupational training during their search for new careers.  The awards are endorsed by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Adam Pollet, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Kathy Lively, president of Illinois Workforce Partnership. 

     Following a 15-year career as a union ironworker in Chicago, Conley was laid off in 2009 as a general foreman due to the downturn in the economy. Like many others, Conley decided a career change was in order and began school in August 2009 to become a registered nurse.

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     It was at that time that he accessed the Career Scholarships for Training Program at Will County.  In December 2012, he graduated with honors, receiving an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing degree.  He passed his national boards in February 2013, gained his Illinois nursing license and is working as an RN.

     In addition to the financial aid, testing and licensure fees, Workforce Services Division of Will County provided a career counselor to ensure that he had all the tools he needed to be successful in school and beyond.

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     Randolph first came to the resource room at Workforce Services Division of Will County in May 2012 after being laid off his telecommunications job.  He learned that in order to be competitive, he needed an updated resume and a quiet place to do his job search.

     Randolph values the expertise the resource room offers for just that.  He targeted companies he wanted to work for and visited those company websites searching for positions he could competitively apply for. Randolph found himself in the resource room as often as four days a week, knowing it would take that much effort to be successful.

     He recently accepted a position with Bankers Life and Casualty Co. of Orland Park.  He used the computers in the resource room to do the necessary testing to become certified in insurance industry products, including the most recent products that are being offered through the Affordable Health Care Act. 

     “Both of these individuals needed help to get reconnected with employment and that’s exactly where the Workforce Services Division of Will County can help,” said Will County Executive Larry Walsh.

     “By making the connections between job seekers, training and employers, we can shrink the skills gap and help drive economic development.  I want to offer my congratulations to our honorees and to all of our successful job seekers.  Their stories prove that it’s possible to overcome barriers and achieve your goals.” 

     For more information about the Workforce Investment Board of Will County, go to  www.willcountyworkforceboard.com.  

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