Workforce Center of Will County Celebrates New Location

Centralized location in Joliet offers expanded space for job seekers and employers

The Workforce Center of Will County has celebrated the grand opening of their new location at 1300 Copperfield Avenue in Joliet, spotlighting an expanded space for services offered to job seekers and employers. Will County leadership cut the ribbon on the new center, which will serve as a modern, one-stop hub that offers career services, training, and workforce resources.

“This is a new chapter for our workforce team,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “Whether dusting up on some skills or looking for a new career path, the Will County Workforce division still has the same quality programs in an expanded space.”

The multi-agency career center has moved into the renovated Will County-owned building in east Joliet, offering a four thousand square-foot increase in space from the previous facility. The new center location also offers a more centralized location for residents, which has already contributed to an uptick in users since the move was completed in February 2026.

“This space was designed with our customers in mind – a place where individuals can walk in and find guidance, resources, and support all under one roof,” said Workforce Investment Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez. “This new one-stop center represents more than just a relocation. It reflects our continued commitment to serving our community with greater accessibility, efficiency, and impact.”

The Workforce Center of Will County is the public-facing hub of several local, state, and federal partners who offer employer and job-seeker services under one roof, offering no-cost employment, education, and training services designed to empower individuals, strengthen businesses, and support long-term economic growth across the county. The center serves between 600 and 1,000 residents every month, along with the additional outreach conducted through the county such as job fairs and kiosks.

The Workforce Services Division of Will County serves as the one-stop operator of the center, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Employment Services, Illinois Department of Human Services, Joliet Job Corps, Joliet Junior College, and the Will County Center for Community Concerns.

“The Workforce Center of Will County brings together a variety of life-changing resources under one roof,” said Workforce Services Division of Will County Director Michelle Stiff. “The opening of this new space represents access, opportunity, and a commitment to meeting people where they are.”

Will County leadership and members of the Workforce Investment Board of Will County spotlighted the benefits of the space at the ribbon cutting ceremony, which was held in the Resource Room that offers private computer spaces for job seekers to update their resumes and apply directly for jobs. The new office also includes computer labs for employment-focused classes, private spaces for virtual interviews, and on-site locations for workforce partners.

“This facility is an investment in how we serve the individuals and employers that rely on us,” said Workforce Investment Board of Will County Director Caroline Portlock. “The center empowers our ability to create a stronger, more responsive workforce system that meets people where they are and helps move them forward.”

Will County workforce leadership also highlighted the location’s expanded capacity to host employer-engagement activities, such as hiring events, on-site interviews, and industry sector-based events. The first such event, a Job Fair, will be held at the center from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 21^st.

More information about the Workforce Center of Will County can be found at https://Will.Works.