Chicago Federation of Labor's Workforce Assistance Committee, 60154-3773
The CFL's Workforce Assistance Committee office in Westchester provided valuable job search services, including placement in an On-the-Job training program for three dislocated workers.
View CFL Workforce Assistance Committee Letter

Read how three construction industry professionals benefitted from the State Energy Sector Partnership. SESP addresses energy efficiency and renewable energy by providing job training in various green economy areas such as Energy Auditing, which focuses on energy conservation in homes and buildings.
View HACIA Success Stories

Carrie, 61350-1234
In December 2011, BEST, Inc. Business Service Manager and NCI Works member Dianna Schuler met with HCC in Mendota to discuss how the Peru BEST office could assist them in recruiting applicants for approximately 30 to 40 openings. As a result of that meeting, on December 27th the Peru BEST, Inc. office began accepting applications for Assembly and Welding positions. To date one hundred and fifty job seekers have since submitted their application and feedback from HCC Human Resources has been positive. The opportunity to assist HCC with their recruitment has brought job seekers into the office that might not otherwise have discovered the services available to them through our resource room and has provided the opportunity for BEST to promote its role as a workforce development agency with much to offer the business community.

I am an Employer or a Business

Robyn, 62526-1634
Increased demand in the energy markets and the pump, compressor and electric motor industries found the Decatur Foundry, a manufacturer of iron castings, with a need to increase its workforce by 50%.

Using WIA funds provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Macon DeWitt Workforce Investment Board worked with the employer to find and recruit qualified candidates, provide skill upgrade training and the personal equipment necessary for the new hires to join the Decatur Foundry workforce.

The company was on a fast track to hire forklift operators, furnace operators, grinders, inspectors, painters, molders, quality technicians, supervisors and welders. Salaries ranged from $10.75 to $23 per hour with the option of insurance and profit sharing. This was a great opportunity for unemployed and underemployed individuals in Decatur and the surrounding areas.

The Decatur Foundry has been extremely happy with the quality of candidates interviewed and has hired 50 new employees. National Emergency Grant On-the-Job Training incentives provide support for 18 of those employees (long-term unemployed 22 weeks or more) and the foundry anticipates hiring another 10 molders within the next week. They also continue to review applications for other positions. The company is excited about the partnership with Workforce Investment Solutions and very pleased with the work ethic of their new employees.

The new employees are excited about their employment and speak highly of the company. Without the grant from DCEO and the Workforce Investment Boards supportive services, some could not have afforded the necessary work supplies like grind helmets, prescription safety glasses, safety wear, steel-toed boots and warm work clothes. Both the employer and the employees are thankful for the On-the-Job Training program funded by DCEO and the opportunity that it has provided. This is a prime example of how DCEO and the local workforce investment areas assist businesses with their hiring needs and job seekers with obtaining gainful employment.

I am an Employer or a Business

Chicago Career Tech, 60601
Founded in 2010, Chicago Career Tech leverages public-private partnerships to offer unemployed emerging-and middle-income Chicago residents the training needed to learn the skills necessary to obtain and succeed in high demand technology-based careers.

To date, over 700 unemployed Chicago residents and 150 businesses and nonprofit organizations have participated in this program. A significant amount of Chicago Career Tech's financial support - $1.3 million - comes from State of Illinois WIA funding.
View Chicago Career Tech WIA Letter of Support

Congress of The United States-5th District, Illinois, 60618
After a Job Resource Fair held at Northside College Prep High School, many attendees felt like they were more prepared for their job search. They also liked finding out about all the resources available to them that they previously did not know about.
View Mike Quigley Letter

Mary, 60432-4077
Dan Kemp was laid off from a railroad company after 12 years of employment as a dock worker. He found it difficult to find employment after the lay-off and was looking to acquire new skills that would qualify him for a new job.

Dan wanted to attend training that was both technical and hands-on. With funding assistance from WIA, he completed the Electrical Overhead Line Worker training program at Dawson Technical Institute. The training gave him the opportunity to brush up on his math skills, which was important to Dan since he learned that most employers were administering math tests prior to considering candidates for employment. He was able to test well at several promising companies.

Dan was hired by ComEd/Exelon as a meter reader, the typical entry level position for the company. He is confident that he will be working on overhead lines in the near future as he works his way up in the company. Dan says that he would never have had the confidence and skills to obtain his new job without the help of the Workforce Services Division of Will County. He also would not have been able to pay for the training on his own. “I am grateful for the entire process; it made me feel proud of myself and has given me endless possibilities for my future.”




I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Ultimate Machining & Engineering, Inc. is a small manufacturing company that specializes in precision CNC machining of complex and near-zero tolerance components, in addition to grinding and laser marking. They can design, engineer, and manufacture almost any type of metal or hard plastic and have extensive experience in producing hydraulic and pneumatic components.

When Ultimate learned of the Incumbent Worker funding, it devised a very comprehensive training plan that included Vista Manufacturing Software training, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing & Blue Print Reading, Mastercam X training, Quality Inspection Equipment (CMM) training, ISO 9001-2008 upgrade and AS9100 Rev C certification training, and internal auditor training for AS9100 Rev C standards. The Workforce Investment Board of Will County provided funding offering (41) employees opportunities to participate in the appropriate training.

The employees are now much more confident when troubleshooting equipment malfunctions. The Vista training for the computerized manufacturing equipment has enabled the employees to fully utilize all aspects of the software that has increased productivity and accuracy in its production methods. Since the Mastercam X software training, employees can now more quickly and accurately write and design the programs that control various machines. As a result of the immediate upgrade to ISO9001-2008 (November 2009), the company has seen an increased interest in their products. Additionally, the company is hopeful that upgraded quality certifications will enable them to move into new markets.

Lynn Minarich, Vice President for Quality at Ultimate Machining & Engineering, Inc., said, “We are competing in a world market. Our customers have recognized that buying overseas and sacrificing quality is not a cost savings. I believe that high quality product is what will bring business back to the U.S. manufacturer. Current ISO 9001 and AS91000 certifications provide our customers with an assurance that Ultimate Machining & Engineering, Inc. products meet the highest quality standards.”


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Prestige Faux Design is a full-service decorative painting business. They assist customers in determining a décor and design a customized solution to beautify their homes or business. Specializing in hand painted faux finishes, their artists can transform a variety of surfaces using techniques that include marbling, texturing, plastering, etching, refinishing, embossing, and much more.

Decorating trends are constantly changing and the materials to transform existing decors also continue to evolve. As new materials and processes enter the market, it is imperative that Prestige Faux Design is skilled in their application. Recognizing that many businesses are challenged with their ability to continually update employee skills and remain competitive, the Workforce Investment Board of Will County provided Incumbent Worker funding. Through this program, Prestige Faux Design was able to access training that addressed: wood graining and marbling; innovative uses of glazes, plasters, and metallic; effects that can be applied to ceilings; authentic Italian, imported, green, lime-based paints and plasters; concrete-based products to be used on floors, walls, and countertops; cabinet and furniture repainting and faux finishing.

As a result of this training, Prestige Faux Design expanded their services to include restoration of existing surfaces, eco-friendly products, and the latest designer finishes.

“Our customers want economical ways to update their décor without undergoing costly, major renovations. We offer high-quality solutions that are customized to their needs and taste. Through this training, we acquired the knowledge and skills that enabled us to offer expanded and new services to our customers – providing us with a competitive advantage,” said Janelle Tague, President of Prestige Faux Design.


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Illinois employs close to 850 professional Registered Nurses (RN). The majority of its nurses entered their field with an associate's degree. Provena has recently established a goal of increasing the proportion of nurses having a bachelor or master’s degree, and launched a program designed to assist their current workforce in acquiring academic credentials they need to advance and serve as nursing leaders.

The onsite, two-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) completion program for AA degree nurses working at Provena was developed in partnership with Lewis University. The program was funded with a combination of Incumbent Worker grant funds, employee tuition reimbursement through Provena, and funding through the Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Foundation. Students benefiting from the program made a commitment to stay with Provena for two years following completion.

Through this collaborative training initiative, thirty-four employees achieved their BSN, most graduating with honors. Provena plans to continue offering the program to nurses and expanding it to other occupations. Physicians have been so pleased with the elevated level of nursing care that they are establishing a scholarship program for nurses


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Pollmann N.A., in Romeoville, IL is an automotive supplier that manufactures electromechanical assemblies for the automotive industry. Pollmann was relying heavily on outside vendors for maintenance/repair of robotic equipment. They wanted to train staff to perform these tasks in-house at significant cost savings to the company. They hoped to solve this problem through the development of an apprenticeship program and by providing specialized training for both the apprentices and existing technical production staff.

With the assistance of the US Dept. of Labor, Pollman implemented an apprenticeship program and identified specialized training needs. Then, Pollmann successfully procured funding through the Incumbent Worker Program from the Workforce Investment Board of Will County to provide training to several employees through customized coursework at Joliet Junior College.

Several employees have now received training in plastic injection molding materials/processes, safe and proper use of robots in a manufacturing environment, basic and advanced programming of robotic equipment and robot maintenance and repair. These employees have increased their skills and impacted the company's overall efficiency.


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
FKM USA, LLC was established in 2000 by Dr. Ulrich Freudenberg, as an extension of FKM Walzentechnik, which is located in Duisburg, Germany. FKM Walzentechnik has been producing high-quality coating of polyurethane and non-woven fabric and steel rolls and rollers for over 30 years in conjunction with Freudenberg Works. FKM USA relocated to Frankfort, Illinois from Glenwood, Illinois in March of 2006. Before moving to Frankfort, FKM USA was solely an outsourcing company. With the move to Frankfort, larger facilities have allowed it to bring most of the roll manufacturing processes in house increasing its full-time staff. Rolls produced by FKM USA are used for a variety of purposes and range from a length of 23 to 180 inches and up to a 72 inch diameter. Their products are customized to meet the needs of their customers.

Representatives of FKM USA became aware of Incumbent Worker funding through the Workforce Investment Board of Will County when meeting with the Village of Frankfort to discuss recent in-house improvements. They were successful in obtaining funding to offset costs associated with employee training in the following areas: Implementation of an automated management information system (Global Shop Solutions) that allows the company to accurately track real time spent to manufacture a product as well as related shipping, invoicing, and inspection functions; use and maintenance of a newly acquired Safop lathe, grinder combination machine that allows the company to expand its production capabilities; and print reading/micrometer usage to insure journals are correctly calibrated.

In assessing the value of the training, FKM USA rep stated, “Through this program, we were able to provide the highest quality of training to our workers. The skills and abilities of our employees impact our bottom line – especially in this competitive economy. Investing in our workers enables us to grow our business and, as a result, increase our workforce.”


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Atlas Putty Products Company manufactures and fills putties, spackles, glue and mastics for consumer and industrial markets. Founded in 1949, the company has been based in Tinley Park for the past 15 years. During that time, they have grown from 7 to over 50 employees.

The company recognized that as a result of their growth, their current inventory management practices were no longer adequate. Additionally, internal employees who advanced into positions with purchasing responsibilities lacked certain fundamental inventory management skills as well as the tools and information needed to make decisions impacting inventory levels. While the company’s accounting system had an automated component to support the management of inventory, implementation would require costly training for employees.

With assistance of Incumbent Worker funding, the company was able to implement a customized training program that provided the flexibility the company and staff needed: the ability to select a trainer with the necessary expertise, offer training on site, and customize the training to include use of company data and processes. Training included general inventory principles; inventory analysis; contract negotiation; coordination of production and procurement; and automated tracking processes.

“This training resulted in a 10% reduction in our inventory levels which translates to real dollars,” said Jacqueline Bueschel, Chief Financial Officer at Atlas Putty Products Company. “In today’s economy where orders for our products are not as consistent as in the past, inventory control is especially important. We now have less cash tied up in inventory, reduced risk of product obsolescence, and more efficient use of warehouse space.”

I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, IL, is a 304-bed acute care hospital that has a team of approximately 400 physicians, 2,000 employees and 500 volunteers. Medical-surgical nurses provide holistic care for adult patients in a broad range of settings, applying their expert knowledge to all body systems and disease processes. As part of a professional growth initiative, Silver Cross Hospital wanted a portion of its medical-surgical nursing staff to obtain Medical-Surgical Certification.

The Workforce Investment Board of Will County provided funding for this certification program through its Incumbent Worker Training Program. The interest among medical-surgical nursing staff was strong and produced impressive results. Eighteen nurses applied for ten available scholarships. All of the ten nurses selected to participate in the program completed the course, sat for the four hour exam, passed the exam standards and received their certifications.

The participating nurses have demonstrated enhanced bedside care, a higher level of critical thinking skills, improved rapport with physicians, and leadership capabilities - serving as mentors and resource nurses and, in one case, advancing to a supervisor. Silver Cross views this initiative as a retention strategy. Additionally, the hospital recognizes that improved nursing skills contribute to the hospital's overall performance in meeting its core quality measures.


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Therafin Corporation, a family business located in Mokena, was founded in 1968 and manufactures medical equipment. The company supplies thousands of products to the rehabilitation market all over the world. Therafin has become known industry wide for its innovation, quality and willingness to meet current needs in a difficult marketplace.

In developing a training program, Therafin determined what type of training would most impact their “bottom line” and was readily available. One area of training supported with funding through the Workforce Investment Board of Will County provided employees with an understanding of their end users’ medical conditions and needs. Employees gained an understanding of how mobility and comfort can be significantly impacted through adjustments in the seating system. The training increased their sensitivity to the importance of adhering to production specifications. A second area of training addressed maintenance and use of sewing equipment. When one machine goes down, it can stop production. The company was dependent on a single outside resource for repairs – delaying production for as long as 4 weeks. Now four people can identify and address routine repairs and maintenance resulting in huge cost savings and increased productivity. A third area of training, educating staff on how to use newly acquired software, has resulted in significant cost savings and increased efficiency. Company personnel can now generate customized reports and documentation needed by customers rather than outsourcing this function.

Todd Fink, President of Therafin Corporation said, “The Business Grants for the Employee Training Program (Incumbent Worker) allowed us to offer training for our workers that we could not otherwise have afforded. The process of applying for funds forced us to define what we really needed in terms of improving our workforce’s skills and what would benefit our operation the most. This training opportunity greatly impacted the skill level of our staff, it streamlined the company's processes in many areas, and most importantly, the unique needs of our customers are met quickly and successfully."


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Things were going well for Juan when he was hired as an IT Project Manager at a prominent software development company in March, 2008. However, the company was forced to downsize a year later, and he was laid off in April, 2009.

Colleagues encouraged Juan to explore the services offered by Workforce Services Division of Will County. Juan attended a two-week "Work Certified" class, which helped him prepare for interviewing and searching for a job. He also wanted to upgrade his skills, and decided to pursue IT Management training through an educational partner of the County: MicroTrain Technologies. Upon completion of his training at MicroTrain, Juan received certification in MCSE, Six Sigma Green Belt, ITIL and Network+, which greatly increased his marketability.

Juan was recently hired as a Project Manager for Classified Ventures, a company that runs two major websites: Cars.com & Apartments.com. He will manage IT projects for both websites.

While going through the interview process with his new company, Juan commented on the training he received through Will County Workforce Services and MicroTrain Technologies, and he believes this training was the major reason he was hired for his new position.

I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Poehner, Dillman & Mahalik is the oldest plumbing and heating company in Joliet and Will County. The Workforce Investment Board of Will County provided funding to Poehner, Dillman & Mahalik, through Incumbent Worker funding, which provided an opportunity for nine (9) employees to receive training to improve their skill level and enhance the company's operation.

At the time of training, the accounting management software had been upgraded from a 10-year old DOS-based program. Individual hands-on training was needed to fully benefit from this new software upgrade. On-site consultants affiliated with Successware, the new software company, individually trained five clerical, one shop, and three management consultants over a four-day period.

"Because of the training, we are confident that the information obtained from the system is now a reliable measure of productivity and performance. Our users are more vested in the system and now understand the value each user adds by utilizing all facets of the software", states Karen Erickson, Controller at Poehner, Dillman & Mahalik. “The grant was critical to our successful implementation of the software.”


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
SATO Labeling Solutions America, Inc. is a leading global provider of innovative label and tag printing solutions throughout the supply chain. It specializes in Auto-ID solutions for the retail, horticultural, manufacturing and healthcare industries. With more than a century of product marking experience, the company has been offering Auto-ID solutions for more than 40 years. Today, SATO continues the long-standing tradition of offering unique solutions that reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies. SATO’s Romeoville facility employs about 76 full-time employees and is a three-shift manufacturer of tags and labels primarily for the retail industry.

Through Incumbent Worker funding, SATO first concentrated on training for its less-seasoned manufacturing employees in the art of flexographic printing, providing refresher courses to more senior employees and educating all on new advances in the industry. Training included ink seminars, basic and advanced flexographic printing trainings, PLC programming and trouble shooting, and ion deposition programming.

Along with the skills required in the manufacture of its products, SATO focuses on lean manufacturing as a means of reducing cost, retaining current customers and attracting new business. 5s and Lean Manufacturing training for management staff resulted in the development of four teams of employees that are working on workplace organization and elimination of non-value added activities in the manufacturing process. The teams have been successful in improving housekeeping and eliminating wasted motion due to better workstation layout.

Another segment of the training covered process improvement and new technologies for flexographic printing press operators. Following the training, operators gave positive feedback such as, “I wish I had received this training 35 years ago,” and, “I did not know that there was a better way of setting up registration. Already this morning it has saved me five minutes in set-up time.”

“Comments like these let you know that the training was successful and money well spent,” states Jan Rathgeb, Human Resources Senior Manager.


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
The Gammon Group is a Joliet-based full-service advertising agency providing results-oriented marketing, graphic design, and website development for clients in the Chicagoland area. They serve organizations from a diverse group of industry sectors from industrial, medical, educational, financial, governmental, retail, and non-profit agencies. The services provided by the Gammon Group have resulted in the success of many local businesses and organizations having a positive impact on the local economy.

Two staff members at the Gammon Group, through incumbent worker funding, received training. This comprehensive training was conducted by highly respected experts and included the most powerful design programs in the industry. Gammon Group’s Webmaster and Senior Graphic Designer participated in the training to ensure that they are well versed in the latest state-of-the art programs that make it possible to design and produce high-impact marketing materials. This allows the company to continue to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-changing communications industry.

"As a growing firm in a competitive market, we don’t have a huge training budget.” states Dan Stefanich, President/CEO of the Gammon Group. “It is essential that we stay on the cutting edge of technology, and this grant program was incredibly beneficial by supplementing our training costs and keeping us where we need to be.”


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Andromeda Technology Solutions has been in business since 1994. Located in Lockport, the company provides technology solutions to businesses in the form of computers, networks, telephone systems, security cameras, and paperless office.

Andromeda was able to improve the quality and scope of its services as a result of Incumbent Worker training for staff in two areas.

Silverback is a fairly complex product that requires specialized training to install, configure and maintain. The Silverback product allows Andromeda Technology Solutions to monitor their clients’ servers and networks 24x7. The training and certification class was required to become a dealer for the product.

In late 2007, the company was interested in expanding the types of telephone systems that they can maintain, and Avaya was a key product line for inclusion. Training and certification is critical for telephone systems. It allows the technician to fully understand the product line, which is critical for proper setup and maintenance. Certification also allows for Andromeda Technology Solutions to obtain technical support from the manufacturer.

“As a small business owner, this training would have been cost prohibitive without the assistance provided through the Workforce Investment Board’s grant program,” stated Jeff Borello. “We were able to expand our capabilities and specialization of services – which benefits not only our company but also our clients.”


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
The Workforce Investment Board of Will County provided Incumbent Worker funding to the Joliet Equipment Corporation that enabled 20 employees to receive training.

Industry-specific training was provided from the Electrical Apparatus Service Association of St. Louis, MO to help maintain competitiveness with companies located outside of Will County. Training included one day of training by Fundamentals of DC Motors, a half-day training of Root Cause: Winding and Rotor Failures, and a half-day training of Root Cause: Bearing and Shaft Failures for 20 mechanics, machinists, winders, parts cleaners, and maintenance staff.  Additional fork lift training was provided from Midway Material Handling of Carol Stream, IL for eight (8) mechanics, machinists, winders, parts cleaners and maintenance personnel.

"The two-day motor repair program resulted in a better understanding of motor repair analysis (the core of our business) as well as serving as a valuable “refresher” course for certain long-term employees. The forklift program has resulted in a better understanding of forklift safety and maintenance. This training opportunity proved to be invaluable,” states Rande Taylor, Controller of Joliet Equipment Corporation.


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Loders Croklaan is a key global producer in the supply of oils, fats and nutritional ingredients for more than 110 years. While it still serves several major market segments within these industries, its core business in the 21st Century is palm oil, a no-trans fat alternative. Worldwide, it provides customers with complete and comprehensive supply chain management, an extensive range of palm-based products, and unprecedented assurance in product safety, quality and value for money. Loders Croklaan is a subsidiary of IOI Corporation Berhad, Malaysia, and has its headquarters in Wormerveer, the Netherlands. It has manufacturing facilities in the Netherlands, US, Canada and Malaysia with sales offices located around the world.

The Channahon facility, which employs over 80 full-time employees, installed a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software system to better capture production and sales information and enable better decision-making. A total of 22 employees were trained with Incumbent Worker funding.

Paula Smith, Loders Croklaan’s Production Assistant, states “The implementation of the new Enterprise Resource Planning software (SAP) at Loders Croklaan in Channahon is a positive step in the continued growth and development of our business. The training our employees received on using this software is providing Loders Croklaan with the real time information needed to enhance our competitive position as a world class supplier of edible fats and oils.”


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Diageo North America, Inc. is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of alcohol beverage brands across spirits, wine and beer categories. Diageo is a global company, trading in over 180 markets around the world. Diageo was formed in 1997, following the merger of Guinness and GrandMet and is headquartered in London. At the time of training, Diageo had 20,000 employees worldwide with offices in 80 countries, with its Plainfield, IL site employing over 200 people.

Five Operations Team members were trained in a three-day intensive course provided by Krones Academy which involved both classroom and hands-on training. The courses covered general theory, component safety, operational procedures, changeover processes, and cleaning of equipment. Diageo immediately recognized the training benefits that decreased downtime, improved machine operation efficiency, lowered maintenance costs, and increased productivity.

"Thanks to the Workforce Investment Board of Will County, we were able to send five of our employees to formal Labeler training at the Krones Academy in Franklin, WI,” said Will Estrada, Plant Reliability Manager. “These employees received great hands-on experience on some of labeling equipment we had just purchased for our facility in Plainfield. The incumbent worker funding we received from the Workforce Investment Board was a great compliment to our plant's training budget, as we continually strive for value."


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Holland Company LP is a pioneer in the railway supply industry for freight car components and is an acknowledged leader in the world market for electric flash butt welding systems and track testing using efficient road rail vehicles. Holland Company’s services are vital to keeping the U.S. railway system running safely. It is headquartered in Crete, Will County, Illinois, where its heavy equipment manufacturing facility is also located. While its training needs are widespread, the mechanical engineering staff had particular training needs. The company invested in 3-D modeling software, SolidWorks Graphics by Graphics Systems Corp., which will help the staff and the company stay competitive.

Graphic Systems Corporation provided training for two Holland engineers through Incumbent Worker funding. “The training our employees received allowed us to utilize new technologies that would not otherwise be available to us. The key to remaining competitive is developing new product and getting them to the market place in a timely manner,” states Stefan Pendrick, Engineering Manager at Holland Company. “The training we received is allowing us to do that.”


I participated with an incumbent worker training program

Mary, 60432-4077
Joliet Technologies LLC is a small business located in Crest Hill. The company engineers build and service AC and DC Variable Speed Drive systems that vary the speed of large motors, thereby increasing efficiency and decreasing energy costs.

Programmable logic controllers (PLC’s) are increasingly a requirement for most control panels that manage the sequential operation of drive systems. PLC programming is not a skill set that a large number of people possess but is in high demand. With Incumbent Worker funding administered by the Workforce Investment Board of Will County, two employees received basic PLC training through Grundy Area Vocational Center - a first step in the incremental process of developing staff capabilities in this area.

Small businesses often recognize that their staff require training but unlike large companies, they have limited resources to devote to staff development. Clay Johnson, Managing Partner for Joliet Technologies LLC became aware of the incumbent worker training program through an article in the Herald News in which County Executive Larry Walsh explained the benefits of the program. “The Business Grants for Employee Training Program helps you grow your company – making your employees more valuable and compensating them accordingly,” said Clay. “By improving employee skills, we provide better service to our customers resulting in more business for us and more jobs for Will County.”


I participated with an incumbent worker training program