Overview
The Office of Employment and Training is introducing the
Illinois workNet Universal Referral System—a statewide tool designed to help workforce partners connect job seekers to services more efficiently and with less duplication.
The system can be used as a standalone tool or within IWDS 2.0 and is accessible to partners across American Job Centers, community organizations, and the broader workforce network.
With this system, partners can reduce duplicate intake, track referrals in real time, and work more seamlessly across organizations—creating a more coordinated experience for customers statewide.
Who Should Attend
We encourage at least one staff member from each organization to attend, especially those who:
- Provide direct services to job seekers
- Make or receive referrals
- Support intake, case management, or partner coordination
Trainings are organized by
Local Workforce Innovation Areas (LWIAs) to support regional collaboration. Participants should attend sessions aligned with their LWIA.
Group A (LWIAs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 14, 20, 23, 25, 26)
Group B (LWIAs: 6, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24)
Not sure which LWIA your organization belongs to?
Please refer to the
LWIA County Reference Guide or contact us for assistance.
Training Schedule & Registration
Please register for each module by selecting either the morning or afternoon session for your assigned group. You only need to attend one session per module.
Module 2: Referral System Partner Training - Send & Respond to Referrals, Reporting
| Group A - LWIAs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 14, 20, 23, 25, 26
| 5/8/2026 @ 11:00am
| Registration Link
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Module 2: Referral System Partner Training - Send & Respond to Referrals, Reporting
| Group B - LWIAs: 6, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24
| 5/12/2026 @ 3:00pm
| Registration Link
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Module 2: Referral System Partner Training - Send & Respond to Referrals, Reporting
| Group B - LWIAs: 6, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24
| 5/15/2026 11:00am
| Registration Link
| |
Refresher Training Office Hours
| Optional for Group A - LWIAs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 14, 20, 23, 25, 26
| 6/2/2026 @ 3:00pm
| Registration Link
| |
Refresher Training Office Hours
| Optional for Group B - LWIAs: 6, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24
| 6/5/2026 @ 11:00am
| Registration Link
|
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Past Events
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Module 1: Introduction to Referral System & Service Finder Integration (90 Mins)
| LWIAs and Referral Partners
| May 1 & 4, 2026
| Webinar Recording: May 1 Recording May 4 Recording
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Module 2: Referral System Partner Training - Send & Respond to Referrals, Reporting
| Group A - LWIAs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 14, 20, 23, 25, 26
| May 5 & 8, 2026
| Webinar Recording: May 5 Recording May 8 Recording
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