WCWC releases August workshop schedule

           The Workforce Center of Will County August 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 offered at 1:30 p.m. Mondays, Aug. 14 and 28, and at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, Aug. 10 and 24. 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, Aug. 7 and 21, and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, Aug. 3, 17 and 31.

            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 are scheduled for 9 a.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday, and 1:30 p.m. each Thursday.

            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. every Tuesday, IDES 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. every Tuesday. 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. Wednesdays, except July 30.

             Standout Resumes will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 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.

            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 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9.

            Participants will learn job interviewing techniques at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, 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.

            A session on job search skills, Master Your Job Search, will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 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.

            LinkedIn Lab, which will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, will help job seekers make the most of their basic LinkedIn accounts. Participants may either set up a basic account ahead of time or staff will help them set one up during the workshop. 

            There will be an Adult Education Information Session at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15. At this session, the services that the Joliet Junior College Department of Adult Education and Literacy will be explained. Students will be able to test and immediately sign up for classes.

            Workshops last about an hour, depending upon class size, except for Microsoft Word, Excel and LinkedIn Lab, which run approximately 90 minutes each. All workshops are offered at no cost to Will County residents.

            Career Cafe will meet at 9:30 a.m. 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) 727-5679. 

            All workshops except Industry Orientation and Career Café 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 August, the two-hour sessions will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25, and 1:30 p.m. Aug. 30.

            The WCWC is located at 2400 Glenwood Ave., Suite 100.  For more information please visit www.will.works.