Employment & Training

Program Overview

Program Descriptions

Adult Program  -  This program includes a wide range of training activities to prepare economically disadvantaged and under employed adults (age 18 and over) for the workplace.  Job placement, vocational classroom training, basic and remedial education, job counseling and assessment, job search assistance, resume preparation, on-the-job training, paid work experience, work testing, child care and transportation are among the services available to eligible individuals. The Workforce Investment Board has determined that these funds be reserved for those individuals with the most need.  Most need is defined as those customers who meet specific income guidelines.

Youth Employment and Training Program  -  The youth program provides jobs and academic enrichment for youth ages 14-21.  This program is designed to prepare youth for entry into the labor force and includes such activities as work experience, work testing, vocational education, and remedial education, counseling and support services.  Heavy emphasis is placed on maintaining and improving educational levels.  Work experience is designed to stress the necessity of strong reading and math skills in the world of work.  Summer programming focuses on youth who need to develop skills for the workplace and in cooperation with several businesses throughout the four counties participants are exposed to a variety of business and career opportunities.  Ninety-five percent of participants must be economically disadvantaged. 

Dislocated Workers  -  This program is for workers who are out of work due to plant closings, layoffs, business failures, or technological change.  The dislocated worker program offers employment, re-employment and/or retraining services that will assist the individual in the transition to new employment.  Services may include job placement, vocational classroom training, basic and remedial education, job counseling and assessment, job search assistance, resume preparation, on-the-job training, work testing, child care and transportation.

1-S, Dislocated Worker  -  Special funding is made available for training large numbers of workers displaced by a large layoff or plant closing subject to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.  When local businesses close or are sold, funds can be made available to serve the affected employees.  Services include job placement, vocational classroom training, basic and remedial education, job counseling and assessment, job search assistance, resume preparation, on-the-job training, work testing, child care and transportation. 

Trade Act Assistance  - TAA provides training services to persons left without employment when those jobs are certified by the U.S. Department of Labor as being moved out of the United States.  Affected TAA certified individuals can receive reemployment services, job search allowances, and relocation allowances.

Critical Skills Shortage Initiative – CSSI is a special grant that targets worker shortages in Illinois.  There are two grants in our area; healthcare and manufacturing.  The healthcare grant will train an additional ten registered nurses and increase the capacity for training at John Wood Community College.  The manufacturing grant targets welding and computer numeric control (CNC) operators. 

Front Door Funds – Through an agreement with the Illinois Department of Human Services, Two Rivers Regional Council WIA acts as the fiscal agent for emergency funds used to help individuals secure and retain employment.  These funds are used for one time work related expenses (auto license and repairs, work uniforms, etc.) to help individuals begin or retain employment.

Food Stamp Employment & Training Program – FSE&T provides job search assistance and support services to able bodied adults receiving food stamps.  Usually individuals are referred to this program from the local DHS office.

TANF Employment & Training Program – The Department of Human Services refers individuals who are receiving cash assistance to our office job search assistance and support services.

Job Training and Economic Development – The current JTED grant from DCEO provides funds for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training to low income individuals in Adams, Brown, Pike, and Schuyler Counties.

Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities –  Two Rivers Regional Council through a grant from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disability provides funds for a program to coordinate and facilitate employment services to persons with developmental disabilities from the One-Stop employment center.  There is a staff person funded by the grant to work with participants in Adams, Brown, Pike, and Schuyler Counties.