Groups want to step up efforts for job training

Dec 05, 2007 @ 06:44 PM

By Nate Legue

ROCKFORD -

This region has lots of workers. It also seems to have available jobs. The problem is getting them together.

Economic development organizations want to change that by touting a cooperative effort to boost the profile of the Workforce Connection, a state and federally funded job-placement and training agency that has low-cost and no-cost programs for employers who need workers.

“I don’t think people realize the resources are there,” said Tom McDunn, chairman of the Manufacturing Council, a committee of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

There are still businesses here clamoring for a work force.”

The agency is launching a survey to assess the needs of employers in an effort to gear its training programs toward them. It’s available on the chamber’s Web site, rockfordchamber.com.

Representatives from the Workforce Investment Board, the Rockford and Belvidere chambers, Growth Dimensions, Rockford Area Economic Development Council, Winnebago County, the Abilities Center/Techworks and Rock Valley College gathered Wednesday at a news conference. The Workforce Connection will host a job fair Jan. 23 in Belvidere.

The new collaboration will have its first test when Chrysler’s assembly plant in Belvidere lays off 1,000 workers as it eliminates its third shift early next year.

Workforce Connection already is speaking with the company and the union to get ready for the influx of people who need help finding new jobs or want to pursue an education for new careers.

“Everything we do is geared toward helping them get back into the work force as soon as possible,” said Gary Lawson, director of the dislocated-worker program at Rock Valley College. “We take them in and we help them try to find work as quickly as possible. And if that doesn’t work, we look at training.”