JobWorks involved as a ‘Changemaker’

Recently, staff from our JobWorks Education & Training was on-site at Valparaiso, Indiana for the ‘Changemaker’ nonprofit and education career fair hosted by WorkOne Northwest Indiana. This event gave attendees a chance to connect with organizations in the area and a way for them to explore their options. Whether someone was looking to explore a career change, looking for a new job, preparing to graduate or currently unemployed, ‘Changemaker’ offered those in attendance the chance to learn about opportunities that may be available to them.

Getting the chance to meet people at these events not only allows us to share the mission and opportunities that are available at JobWorks, but it is a great way for our staff to learn more about what’s needed in that specific area so that we might explore other training and education options in the future.

WorkOne representatives take a moment to visit the JobWorks table at the recent ‘Changemaker’ event in Valparaiso, Indiana.

JobWorks participates in NEXTGen Expo

Recently, JobWorks Education & Training participated in a unique event that was aimed at giving students resources to grow their futures. The NEXTGen Expo gave students a chance to meet area employers about jobs and internships, meet local colleges and training providers, as well as connect with life, job and career resources!

JobWorks Education & Training team members were on hand to speak on discussion panels. These sessions were centered around the following:

• Career Development Panel - Attendees learned how young professionals turned their motivation and determination into an unstoppable pathway to success. Students were able to hear about preparing for post-secondary education, the job market, and the world of work.

• Money Matters session will helped attendees sharpen their financial vision for today and beyond to help them achieve many goals and dreams that required planning and money.

• What About My Resume? Was a session all about building a resume that will catch the eye of an employer.

Being involved in events such as this furthers our mission to provide education and training resources to workforces, individual students, employers and more.

IowaWORKS Now Offering New Tech Training Opportunity for Dislocated Workers

DES MOINES – Dislocated workers across Iowa now have access to a new career pathway in a high-demand field. IowaWORKS, in conjunction with JobWorks Education and Training Systems, are partnering to offer the TechWorks training program to create an accelerated pathway toward a career in information technology.

The 12-week course is designed to be flexible and will primarily target Iowans who have lost employment through no fault of their own due to the impact of the pandemic. Participants will take part in virtual training leading to two valuable IT training certificates (A+ Certification and IT Fundamental Certification) that will help support a new career in IT.

“Our state can’t afford to leave any workers on the sidelines, so we’re thrilled to begin offering this unique pathway to bring more Iowans into high-demand fields,” said Beth Townsend, Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “It’s no secret that IT professionals are a highly sought-after talent base. This program helps give dislocated workers a skillset and a quick turnaround into a promising career.”

Each program participant will receive a laptop at no cost to them, and those who complete the full course will get to keep their equipment. IowaWORKS career planners will help guide participants through the course and ensure they have the support necessary to be job-ready. Iowa currently has more than 2,500 IT-related job openings.

New cohorts for the program will begin each month. For more information on how to get enrolled in the program, reach out to your local IowaWORKS office or contact Jama Robinson at jama.robinson@iwd.iowa.gov or 319-365-9474 ext 31202.

###An Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities.
www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov

Growth & Innovation: JobWorks Training Division stands ‘poised for the years ahead’

FORT WAYNE, IN – JobWorks, a Fort Wayne-based non-profit, has provided workforce, education, and consulting solutions for more than 30 years, serving customers throughout Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California. Its primary area of focus is supporting public workforce participants in acquiring skills and credentials for higher-paying jobs and short-term training programs that span a long list of occupations and industries. JobWorks started JobWorks Education and Training System over 8 years ago to provide another option of job seekers to earn short-term industry-recognized credentials as they work to re-enter and/or move up in the workforce.

Now, as the National Director, overseeing JobWorks Education and Training Systems (JETS) is John Casella, who has been with the organization since 2015.

“After building the foundation for JETS over the past several years, I am excited to now lead the division and take our work to the next level,” said Casella. “Our pioneering approach to IT training is needed now more than ever, considering the profound changes to our workforce caused by COVID-19.”

Helping to support an alternative and innovative learning solution is JobWorks’ flagship product, TechWorks – an all-virtual, classroom-based IT boot camp that prepares students of diverse backgrounds for higher-paying tech careers.

“We are poised for the years ahead to continue developing innovative products that connect aspiring IT professionals to the growth, excitement, and opportunity of an ever-evolving IT industry,” Casella said.

Each year JobWorks serves more than 10,000 customers with its workforce career counseling and education services. In addition, annually, more than 200 organizations acquire high-impact talent and develop their employee-base with the help of JobWorks.

In addition to Casella’s promotion, JobWorks has hired two new team members have been added. Alex McNeil, who came to JobWorks from the Urban League of Philadelphia, joins the team as a Philadelphia-based operations manager. Kristin Maybriar brings her experience with The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to her new role at JobWorks as an operations manager based in the Midwest.

We are excited to have Kristin and Alex join our team,” said Chief Operating Officer Tom Kavanagh. “Each brings a level of enthusiasm and experience that will help our organization thrive. Their strengths and skills in program design, project management, and stakeholder engagement will allow us to continue to grow, innovate, and expand our current training programs.

“The work we put in ultimately leads us to help both individuals and businesses,” said Kavanagh. “We assist job seekers in obtaining the necessary skills that will help them earn their next career opportunity, as well as connect, businesses to qualified candidates.”

To learn more about JobWorks mission and its programs, visit www.jobworksincorported.org.