Getting To Work

What do we need to consider as businesses reopen and employees begin to head back to the workplace? In this episode, you'll hear about the importance of managing realistic expectations for work, why employers and job seekers need to come together for the good of the regional economy, and why in-person contact is essential for certain jobs.

In this episode, you'll hear about some of the challenges and opportunities that job seekers and businesses are facing at this time, and hear details about two upcoming drive-thru job fairs. Discover how to attend the job fairs and how businesses can get involved.

If you are currently out of the labor market, you'll discover in this episode why now is the perfect time to get back to work. You'll hear tips for creating a winning resume, what to include in a cover letter, and how to access additional support for your job search.

In this episode, you'll hear from Joel Torbeck, program manager for BEST and Sara Escatel, Director of Adult Education at Illinois Valley Community College, as they discuss how business owners can find talent and how job seekers can get the training they need to find better paying jobs. Discover scholarships and grants available for training and an overview of the services available through the One-Stop system.

Lissa Olson, Outreach Coordinator/Veterans Service Officer at LaSalle County Veterans Assistance Commission, joins the program to discuss the various services that are available to help veterans, and how they partner with other organizations to ensure that veterans get the help that they need. Discover the variety of challenges that veterans face, and what veterans should consider when being offered services.

In this episode, you'll hear from an apprenticeship navigator as she discusses some of the biggest misconceptions that people have about apprenticeships, and the various industries that are using apprenticeships to develop their talent pipeline. Discover the structure of an apprenticeship program and how employers can use apprenticeships to upskill existing employees.

Tune in for a conversation between Dianna Schuler, Business Relations Manager for BEST, Inc., and John Spencer, President & General Manager of Starved Rock Media and NCI Works Board Member. Discover how NCI Works functions as an ambassador for area businesses and provides oversight for local agencies that fall under the umbrella of the publicly-funded workforce system. Learn about the composition of the board and the various industries that are represented.

In this episode, you'll hear from 2 COVID-19 response specialists, Cole Horner and Elisabeth Benham, as they discuss the resources that are available to help businesses and municipalities that were impacted by the pandemic. Cole and Elisabeth share some of the promising signs that they are seeing in terms of potential future funding, and how businesses and municipalities can access their services at no-cost.

Luke Tomsha, Founder and Executive Director of the Perfectly Flawed Foundation, joins the program to discuss his own journey of recovery from addiction and how he came to found his organization. Discover how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem of addiction, and what employers need to keep in mind if they have suspect that an employee has an addiction. Luke also reveals why employers should hire individuals in recovery.

This episode features an interview with Patrick Basler, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Illinois Credit Union League. Patrick reveals how he became involved in the credit union movement, and the difference between a credit union and a traditional bank. You'll hear stories about how credit unions have helped businesses and individuals weather the disruption created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and learn about the technological innovation happening in the industry.