Volume 04 | July 2019
BACC STUDENT TO COMPETE IN WORLDSKILLS COMPETITION
Rebekah Hagberg, Bloomington Area Career Center (BACC) Cosmetology Graduate and Normal West High School graduate will compete in the WorldSkills Competition in Kazan, Russia on August 22-27, 2019. Rebecca won a spot on the WorldSkills USA team in June of 2018 and has spent the last year training along with 20 other young competitors chosen from all over the USA in various industry professionals. Rebekah will represent the United States in Hair Dressing during the WorldsSkills Competition in Kazan. BACC partners with Hair Masters Institute of Cosmetology to provide high school students training in cosmetology. Rebekah currently works at Station 710, where they continue to provide her training and support in preparation for the WorldSkills Competition.

SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization serving more than 345,000 high school, college and middle school students and advisors each year. Students are enrolled in training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. Every two years, the United States sends a delegation of its most talented young, skilled workers to compete in the Olympics-style WorldSkills Competition (WSC). Make sure to follow Rebekah's journey on the BACC Facebook Page!
GOT A GREAT PROJECT &
NEED SOME ASSISTANCE?
Accepting Project Submissions!
Leadership McLean County (LMC) is now accepting project applications for their Leaders on Loan program until August 1st.
This opportunity offers community businesses and organizations a chance to work with a highly skilled task force of LMC participants to develop a specific program or accomplish a project that impacts McLean County. 

Last year, the Leaders on Loan worked with COMPACT to develop the " Classroom to Career Playbook", a reference for educators and employers to define career path engagement opportunities. Do you have a great workforce development project that could use some extra help? Find out if Leaders on Loan might be a good fit!
ALL INTERNS WELCOME:
Weekly BECOMING BN Events through July
Becoming BN is a summer program lead by our Student Retention Taskforce, specifically designed for ALL summer interns in McLean County to learn more about the wonderful attributes Bloomington-Normal has to offer.
  
Since June participants have engaged in activities and experiences that have introduced them to our thriving community, while they have opportunities to network and meet local community leaders.

Know an intern working / serving in McLean County this summer? Please invite them to register to attend the weekly events. Weekly events are schedule through the end of July! More information can be found on our website.
ESSENTIAL WORKPLACE SKILLS
ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS
Essential Workplace Skills (EWS) co-developed by COMPACT and Heartland Community College just wrapped up its pilot phase. The next session "Communicating Effectively" will take place on July 12th, register today!

Each Essential Workplace Skills (EWS) session was built with input from industry professional and expert coaches. The four hour sessions are activity-based, and include tools for immediate on-the-job application.

Workshops include: Practicing Professionalism at Work; Communicating Effectively; Using Effective Tools for Decision-Making and Goal Setting; Navigating Challenge and Stressors; Understanding Customer Service Essentials. The flexible design of these sessions allows the content to support the operations, goals, and cultures of different employees.  Register by calling 309-268-8160.

More information can be found online at http://heartland.edu/continuingEd
~CALLING EMPLOYERS & EDUCATORS~
SIGN UP NOW TO PARTNER WITH McLEAN COUNTY SCHOOLS & STUDENTS FOR THE 2019/2020 SCHOOL YEAR!

The “ Classroom Connection Platform” (CCP) through BNSTEM is looking for employers for the 2019-2020 school year! The CCP is a tool educators can use to connect curriculum with the real world through partnerships with industry professionals. As an industry professional you can engage on this platform by creating a profile and serving as a local workplace resource.  Sign Up today! By searching the repository of content providers educator can connect, develop, and engage our students in STEM education. More information is found on the website: www.bnstem.org
BN STEM INTRODUCES "THE LOOP"

BN STEM has created “ The Loop” , offering monthly networking events that allow local educators to experience STEM within McLean County. Explore a manufacturing plant, tour a hospital, take a hay rack ride through a farm, etc.....all while learning about the various careers within, career pathways, and the skills needed to work in those fields. STEM resides within all disciplines, so we encourage all K-12 Educators to join! More information and registration can be found on BN STEM website.
SAVE THE DATES
BACC 8th Grade Career Expo- Oct. 23rd
The Bloomington Area Career Center would like to invite your company to participate in the 13 th annual Career Expo.

Each company will be given a booth where you talk to students about career possibilities in your respective field, as well as provide a hands on activity where the student can “try” the career. 

Illinois Wesleyan University Fall Career Fair - Sept. 23rd
IWU Fall Career Fair 2019 will be held at the IWU Shirk Center on September 23, 2019 from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis, all registrations must be received by September 9th.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCE CORNER
For information about COMPACT or information in this newsletter
contact Jancy LaFollette ,Workforce Development Manager