Conference to explore issues affecting Illinois workers; awards presented to individuals and organizations who exemplify workforce development at its best
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today welcomed more than 400 workforce development professionals to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield for the annual Illinois Workforce Development Conference. The one-day event provided workforce development professionals with an opportunity to learn more about the current and future issues affecting workforce development. In addition, Illinois workforce development awards will be presented this evening to 30 individuals and organizations who exemplify workforce development at its best.
“We live in an increasingly global economy where it’s more important than ever to have a qualified and well trained workforce. The Illinois Workforce Development Conference is one way we’re helping to address the issues and concerns that are important to Illinois workers and those who serve on the front lines of workforce development in the state,” said Governor Blagojevich.
Breakout sessions at today’s conference included information on how collaboration can improve the way companies do business, how to grow and manage regional economies, details on emerging occupations in the green industry and how technology can improve workers’ decision making.
The keynote speaker for the luncheon is Anthony Williams, vice president, New Paradigm. Williams coauthored “Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything.” For more than a decade he has researched the impacts of new technologies on social, political and economic life. His luncheon speech, Talent 2.0, talks about the Net-Generation. These children of baby boomers, aged 13 -30, are not only the largest generation ever – they are the first generation to come of age in the digital era.
“There is no greater asset to a company than its workers and there’s no better way to continue expanding our economy than by investing in the skills of our workers. Under the leadership of Governor Blagojevich the state has invested millions of dollars to advance the skills of our workforce, provided comprehensive job training and placement services for Illinois workers and employers and helped to ensure all individuals have equal access to employment opportunities,” said Jack Lavin, director of DCEO.
Tonight, during an evening banquet, 30 individuals and organizations will be awarded Illinois workforce development awards. The organizations and businesses that are being recognized have implemented innovative workforce development practices or provide leadership in the workforce system. The individuals receiving awards have overcome significant hurdles in their lives to complete job training, further their education and/or obtain good paying jobs after receiving workforce development services. Attached is a list of the winners by category:
disabilityworks Innovation Award. This award recognizes an outstanding program, procedure, modification, aid or adaptation which substantially improves and enhances the ability of persons with disabilities to perform their jobs, as well as increasing disability employment opportunities.
Awardee: Transition to Employment (T2E), Southern Illinois University – Carbondale (Southern Illinois region)
Business Leadership Award. This award recognizes a private sector company that has demonstrated leadership and made significant contributions to workforce/economic development activities.
Awardee: Mechanical Service, Inc. (MSI) (West Central Illinois region)
Innovative Solutions Award. This award recognizes innovative workforce/economic development programs, projects and/or initiatives.
Awardee: Northwest Illinois Nursing Collaborative (NINC) (Northwestern Illinois region)
Individual Achievement Awards. These awards recognize the accomplishments of individuals who have overcome significant obstacles in achieving their personal career goals.
Awardees:
1) Marcial Acosta (Northeast Illinois region)
2) Cynthia Allen (North Central Illinois region)
3) Dameron Beverly (North Central Illinois region)
4) Randy Clay (East Central Illinois region)
5) Antonio Corral (West Central Illinois region)
6) Arthur Fakes (Central Illinois region)
7) Vickie French (Southern Illinois region)
8) Bonny Goldberg (Northeast Illinois region)
9) Marvin Harvey (Southern Illinois region)
10) Randy Hoffsuemmer (Central Illinois region)
11) Jherad Holcomb (North Central Illinois region)
12) Pamela Johnson (Northeast Illinois region)
13) Brittany Kapa (Northeast Illinois region)
14) Michelle Luster (Southwestern Illinois region)
15) Amanda McManis (Southwestern Illinois region)
16) Theodore Miller (Northeast Illinois region)
17) John D. Oldfield (Central Illinois region)
18) Lenna Rios (Northwestern Illinois region)
19) Cassandra Robinson (Northeast Illinois region)
20) Thomas Russian (East Central Illinois region)
21) Dillon Schnitzler (Northwestern Illinois region)
22) Samantha Siciliano (Northeast Illinois region)
23) Sandra Taylor (Northern Stateline region)
24) Elizabeth Tessendorf (Northwestern Illinois region)
25) Beth Wells (Southeastern Illinois region)
26) Ana Zuniga (Northeast Illinois region)
Journey Award. This award recognizes the accomplishments of an individual who exited WIA prior to July 2005 and whose workforce journey has led to more than just their individual success.
Awardee: Germain Castellanos (Northeast Illinois region)
Governor Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.