Professional Networking Roundtable Spotlight
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Brent Krieg lost his job as a Business Banking Officer at US Bank, and understandably, this caused him great distress and he began to wonder if he should leave the banking industry. In the meantime, because Brent qualified for unemployment benefits and was determined unlikely to return to his previous occupation by the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS), he was referred to the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Program and was scheduled to meet with an RESEA representative at the OhioMeansJobs Lorain County (OMJLC) office. As a result, Brent was connected to an Employment Specialist, Steve Heugel, at OMJLC who helped him consider various jobs were he could utilize his skills and background. Steve stressed the importance of networking and reaching out to former colleagues. Steve also connected Brent to the OMJLC Professional Networking Roundtable group, were Brent said he received "super guidance." When asked, what would you tell someone who did not know about OhioMeansJobs Lorain County, Brent stated "they educate you on many different tools and steps that you can utilize to be proactive and more confident in reaching the next level."
Brent is now employed at Northwestern Mutual in downtown Cleveland as a Wealth Management Associate and Assistant Financial Planner. He is working on becoming licensed in securities with a long-term plan of earning his Certified Financial Planner certification.
Best wishes to you in your new position Brent!
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"[OhioMeansJobs Lorain County] educates you on many different tools and steps that you can utilize to be proactive and more confident in reaching the next level."
-- Brent Krieg
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The Professional Networking Roundtable meets the first and third Wednesday of each month from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Please call 440-284-4217 to RSVP or to get more information.
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Daisha Casey (Left) is pictured above with her Senior Youth Workforce Development Specialist, Hector Garcia
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"I must admit I did not realize that this level of help was available – I am not sure if I could have done this without the help of OhioMeansJobs Lorain County and their youth program.
-- Daisha Casey
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Before coming to OhioMeansJobs Lorain County, Daisha Casey was a single mom working at Rite-Nau Beverage. Daisha said that she heard about OhioMeansJobs through a family member, and decided to attend an orientation to see if she could get help with EMT training. Daisha said she dreamed of working in the medical field, but she was not interested in the hospital setting. She said she always found the idea of working as a first responder fascinating as she works well under pressure.
Daisha shared, "I must admit I did not realize that this level of help was available – I am not sure if I could have done this without the help of OhioMeansJobs Lorain County and their youth program. They assisted me with the cost of supplies, training, books, gas, and other items needed to succeed in school."
With the assistance of OhioMeansJobs Lorain County, Daisha attended LifeCare EMS Academy, and earned her EMT Basic Certification as well as passing the National EMT Registry Exam. Daisha stated that, "Throughout this process, my
Senior Youth Workforce Development Specialist, Hector Garcia was very supportive, and I feel that he moved mountains to make this happen for me. Instead of pushing me towards the easier path, he encouraged me to succeed at LifeCare EMS Academy." She also shared that while attending school Hector frequently checked in with her to make sure everything was going well and to see if there was any other assistance she might need. Since completing the program at LifeCare EMS Academy, Daisha accepted a full-time job at LifeCare EMS of Lorain as an EMT. Daisha said, "I appreciate the help and support that OhioMeansJobs Lorain County provided me."
Best wishes to you in your new career Daisha!
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2019 Lorain County Chamber Business Expo
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OhioMeansJobs Lorain County Employment Specialists, Ann Cabbil (left) Abby Kucbel (fka: Poorman) (right) are pictured above at the OMJLC table at the 2019 Lorain County Chamber of Commerce Expo
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On November 7, The Lorain County Chamber of Commerce hosted their 6th Annual Business Expo at Tom's County Place
in Avon.
The “free to attend” show was sold out 3 weeks prior to the date with over 115 booth spaces accounted for. With a steady stream of over 500 attendees going through the doors during the 4 hours the EXPO took place, everyone was pleased with the event again this year. The County Chamber once again worked with JumpStart this year and highlighted 6 “underserved entrepreneurs” with booth spaces to help promote their business. These newer businesses were from the African-American, Hispanic, Veteran, Woman-owned and Rural/Agricultural communities. Over $500 in cash door prizes and a 50” television was raffled off to anyone in attendance and food samples from Lorain County restaurants were also available for free. Anthony Gallo, President of the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce said “Our EXPO’s aim is simple and we continue to grow because we put a focus on Business to Business. By providing our exhibitors and attendees an opportunity to network, collaborate, learn about and promote Lorain County businesses, the want and need to attend and exhibit will continue to be the driving force.” The 7
th
Annual EXPO is scheduled for November 5, 2020 at Tom’s Country Place.
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Lorain County Manufacturing Sector Partnership
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In December, OhioMeansJobs Lorain County signed into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lorain County Manufacturing Sector Partnership
(LCMSP) to become an affiliate partner of the group.
The LCMSP is an employer-led group committed to promoting manufacturing and growing the available workforce in the region for manufacturing companies. Industry sector partnerships are a proven workforce development strategy that puts employers in the driver seat. Manufacturers within a regional labor market work together to influence alignment around common solutions with education and training, economic and workforce development, and community organizations.
The founding companies of the LCMSP include; Thogus Products, Bettcher Industries, Elyria Foundry, Southwire, AJ Rose Manufacturing, Ridge Tool and Riddell Sports Group.
Being an affiliate partner of the LCMSP allows the opportunity for
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Larry Sansom, President, Thogus Products Company sharing information about LCMSP with the Business Advisory Council members being led by the Lorain County Educational Services Center.
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OMJLC to work in collaboration with
other community partners, including the businesses involved in the sector partnership, in helping to identify education and training solutions, and to address workforce needs that the companies have identified.
For more information on the Lorain County Manufacturing Sector Partnership visit:
www.LCMSP.org
.
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Inmate Job Readiness and Career Exploration Program
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OhioMeansJobs Lorain County (OMJLC) has partnered with the Lorain County Sheriff's Office and Firelands Vocational Rehabilitation Services in offering a program that will help equip inmates in the Lorain County Jail with job readiness skills that they can learn while being incarcerated, and the transition into additional workforce services that will occur upon their release from custody. In December, the Lorain County Board of Commissioners approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sheriff's Office, Firelands and OMJLC to assist inmates who participate in the program by reducing barriers that may prevent them from seeking, obtaining and maintaining jobs after they are released from the Lorain County Jail.
“Job readiness services that are being offered by Firelands to the participants in the Lorain County Jail are being funded through a federal grant that the agency received”, said Mike Longo,
Director of the Lorain County Workforce Development Agency. “Firelands has already rolled out a similar program in many counties to the west of our county, and the MOU we put in place allows for the expansion of these services into Lorain County”, he said.
Firelands is using a Medication Assisted Treatment/Prescription Drug and Opioid Treatment grant awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant provides $524,000 per year for three years to provide rehabilitative services to people with opioid addictions, and covers a mix of behavioral health treatment and vocational rehabilitation services.
Firelands will be providing an Employment Specialist to work with inmates identified by the Sheriff's Office staff as being appropriate for the program. The focus will be on inmates who have a minimum sentence of 45 days in jail on misdemeanor charges and those receiving medication-assisted treatment services for substance abuse. Inmates will participate in a "Job Club" while still incarcerated, that will help them with job readiness skills and assistance in exploring careers.
Firelands staff will refer inmates who participate to the OMJLC center upon their release so that they can benefit from additional services and resources that will be available to help them transition back into the workforce.
We are hopeful through this partnership we can shorten the amount of time it takes for those who participate to go from incarceration back into employment," Longo said.
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New College Scholarship Designed to Strengthen Ohio’s Technology Workforce
More than $20 million to be awarded for Choose Ohio First programs in computer science, related areas
COLUMBUS, OH, December 12, 2019 – A new scholarship will boost Ohio’s efforts to strengthen the state’s workforce in technology-related fields such as coding and cybersecurity while supporting an estimated 1,400 Ohio students.
The scholarship, part of the Choose Ohio First (COF) program, was announced by Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner. The scholarship will support students in computer science and related areas at 35 colleges and universities across the state. A total of $20,580,770 will be awarded over the next five years after ODHE’s request was approved by the State Controlling Board.
“The Choose Ohio First program is one of our state’s best tools to increase the number of students preparing to work in STEM-related fields,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “In today’s technology-infused economy, every industry and business has important tech-focused jobs and training Ohioans for careers in those positions is key to growing our economy.”
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ACT National Career Readiness Certificates Update
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The above chart reflects the
ACT National Career Readiness Certificates
(NCRC) earned by OhioMeansJobs Lorain County job seekers since May 2016
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The NCRC complements such traditional credentials as high school diplomas, community college degrees, and certificates of technical proficiency. Academic credentials mark the fulfillment of an individual’s classroom learning experiences. The NCRC relies on standardized assessments and confirms an individual’s competence in a specific set of workplace skills including Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.
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Winning Resumes & Cover Letters!
Discover what it takes to write your own winning resume! Get the employers attention, Get the interview, Get the job! Must RSVP!
Jan 7, Feb 4, Mar 3 5:00-7:00 PM
“You’re Hired!”
Increase your chances of hearing these two words after your next interview. Gain the confidence and presentation skills that will impress any interviewer. Must RSVP!
Jan 9 , Feb 6, Mar 5 5:00-7:00 PM
Resume Lab:
Beginners and seasoned job seekers alike can get help with their resume - any question, any issue! Prerequisite: Job Seekers must attend OMJLC Orientation, a Resume Workshop and have a completed resume template or previous/current resume prior to attending. Must RSVP!
Jan 14, 28; Feb 11, 25; Mar 10, 24
1:00-3:00 PM
Mock Interviews:
Refine your interviewing skills through a videotaped mock interview session. Prerequisite: Job Seekers must attend OMJLC Orientation and one of the Interviewing Skills workshops before enrolling in the Mock Interviews workshop. Must RSVP!
Jan 2, 16, 30; Feb 13, 27; Mar 12, 26
1:00-4:00 PM
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Career Development Workshops are also available including Soft-Skills and other Job Search Skills classes. These workshops are offered on a bi-weekly basis between 9AM-Noon. OMJLC Orientation required prior to enrollment. Please click the link to the right or call to get more info.
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Basic Computer Training:
This is a two-part class (6 hrs. total) providing students with introductory to computer use. It is designed for the student who has no or little experience using a computer. Topics include: intro to computer hardware, basic computer terminology, using the keyboard, mouse, creating & saving documents.
Prerequisite: OMJLC Orientation
Jan 7 & 8, Jan 21 & 22; Feb 4 & 5, 18 & 19, Mar 3 & 4, 17 & 18, Mar 31 & Apr 1
1:00-4:00 PM
OhioMeansJobs.com:
This class will demonstrate how to register on OMJ.com, create your career profile, search jobs, apply for jobs, using your personal backpack and more! Prerequisite:
OMJLC Orientation
Jan 10; Feb 7; Mar 6, 20 9:00 AM-12 PM
Jan 24; Feb 21 1:00-4:00 PM
COMING SOON!
LCCAA Tech Connect Computer Training
Tech Connect will feature computer classes for
8 consecutive classes
. The classes will include Microsoft Office programs, such as WORD & EXCEL, write your resume in WORD, and more. Upon completing the program each applicant that has been income qualified and is registered with OhioMeansJobs Lorain County will receive a certificate and a refurbished computer of their very own. Registration is open to all over 18.
Contact Colette Park to enroll in this course at OMJLC or any other Lorain County location @ 440-204-3151 or by email
cpark@lccaa.net
Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World
This six week (18 classes) course will be offered at OMJLC beginning January 27, 2020. The ten module curriculum will help build resources as the facilitator helps explore solutions and helping students with accountability, analyzing their situations, assessing their own resources and choosing a plan of action.
Contact Amy Steele @ 440-204-3121 for more info.
January 27-March 6
9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Avon Lake Public Library:
Need help finding a job? Need financial assistance for school or training? OMJLC may be able to help you! Attend this special orientation to learn more! RSVP:
https://alpl.org/
February 24, 2020
6:00-8:00 PM
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Attention Job Seekers and Employers!
Job Seekers:
Funding may be available through a WIOA
Individual Training Account (ITA)
for training or re-training in "in-demand" occupations to those who qualify.
Employers: On-the-Job Training (OJT)
is a service available to businesses to help offset the costs of hiring and training. Reimbursements of new-hire training costs available to businesses up to $3000/trainee when hiring WIOA eligible candidates.
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Current Unemployment Rates
- United States 3.5%
- Ohio 4.2%
- Lorain County 3.4% (Read More)
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Funding provided in part by Lorain County Board of Commissioners and
the Lorain County’s Workforce Development Board
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