WCWC releases May workshop schedule

JOLIET – The Workforce Center of Will County May schedule has been released.

An orientation into Alison.com will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, May 6. Alison offers more than 1,000 free online courses in more than 300 categories. Orientation includes an overview of the courses and categories and information on how to set up an Alison account.

Career Cafe will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, May 7 and 21. 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.

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. The workshop will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 2, and Monday, May 20, and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, and Wednesday, May 29.  

Job Readiness gives participants an overview of resources for job seekers, including networking, completing applications, resumes, interviewing and Illinois JobLink. It will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, May 1 and 15.

LinkedIn Lab – Starting Your Profile will be offered at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 14. Workshop attendees will get help creating basic LinkedIn accounts to aid in their job searches. They should come ready to have their photos taken and added to their new accounts.

LinkedIn Lab – Maximize Your Profile will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 14. The workshop helps participants make the most of their basic LinkedIn accounts. Review features and best practices to help attendees maximize their profiles for success in finding employment.

A session on job search skills, Master Your Job Search, will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 20. The workshops will include a review of basic job search techniques, including networking and how to use the internet to conduct a job search.

Math Review will be offered at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, and 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. A review of basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, percentages and integers will be covered.

Basic Microsoft Excel will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 6, and 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 22.  Attendees will learn the basics of Excel and how to navigate its many features.

Microsoft PowerPoint will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 13. Learn to create a professional presentation.

A workshop on Microsoft Word will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, and 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 15. 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.

Networking Tools for Today’s Job Market teaches job seekers how to use a variety of tools to maximize their job searches. The workshop includes how to create and use job search networking business cards and how social media outlets are used. The workshop will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 3.

Standout Resumes will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8. Participants may then schedule one-on-one resume reviews.

Participants will learn job interviewing techniques at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, 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.

Workshops last about an hour, depending upon class size, except for Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, which run approximately 90 minutes each. All workshops are offered on a walk-in basis and at no cost to Will County residents.

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. Sessions are available based on the industry or occupation. To register, go to www.jobs4people.org or call (815) 727-4444.

Sessions for those interested in professional, financial and information technology will be held at 1:30 p.m. Mondays, May 6 and 13, and Thursday, May 23.

Industry Orientation for manufacturing, transportation, distribution and logistics will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, May 3, Tuesday, May 14, Tuesday, May 28, and 1:30 p.m.  Thursday, May 9, and Monday, May 20.

Orientation for those interested in the healthcare field will be offered at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 2, Tuesday, May 7, and Tuesday, May 21, and 1:30 p.m. Thursdays May 16, and 30.

There will be an Adult Education Information Session at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 9. Services provided by Joliet Junior College’s Department of Adult Education and Literacy, including English as a second language and high school equivalency classes, will be explained.

High school equivalency (GED) will be offered at 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays, May 1 and 8, and Fridays, May 3 and 10, and 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, and Wednesdays May 22 and 29.  

On The Job Training Orientation will be offered at 10 a.m. Mondays, May 6, 13 and 20. 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.

Reservations are required to attend Industry Orientation sessions. Adult Education and On The Job Training Orientation are offered on a walk-in basis.

In addition, WCWC hosts weekly job fairs at which job seekers can meet with multiple employers. The two-hour sessions will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, and Tuesday, May 14, and 9 a.m. Friday, May 10, and Thursday, May 30.

“The Workforce Center is the place for anyone who needs assistance with their job search,” said Susan Flessner, WCWC manager. “Whether you need help with a resume, opportunities to network with other job seekers, or a Microsoft Word class, the Workforce Center can help.”

The Workforce Center of Will County is at 2400 Glenwood Ave., Suite 100.  For more information about WCWC, visit www.will.works.