Workforce Fit Initiative

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Created: Wednesday, 12 June 2019 18:35

There are many great paying jobs doing important work that are going unfilled. News 10 has partnered with WorkOne West and local businesses and organizations to launch the Workforce Fit initiative.  The purpose of the Workforce FIT initiative is to educate the community about the severe shortage of workers in the skilled trades.  Too many parents and children think that the only pathway to successful careers is by earning a four-year college degree - but the skilled trades also offer great benefits and retirement packages.  Many of them only require two-year degrees, certification programs, short-term training or apprenticeships.  As workers retire, companies struggle to find qualified employees to replace them.  There is a desperate need to solve this problem.  We want to help change the conversation from being college-ready to being career-ready. 

Throughout the year, WorkOne West is supporting the Workforce Fit initiative by providing valuable information related to the skilled trades which are being highlighted on News 10.  The WorkOne website will continually highlight high demand/high wage sectors throughout Western Indiana, such as Energy, Construction, Healthcare, Logistics, and Manufacturing, along with specific occupations within these sectors, and organizations and businesses that can either provide you with the training necessary to qualify for these jobs, or who employee such workers.  WorkOne has offices throughout Western Indiana with staff ready to discuss your career interests with you, help you develop a plan to achieve your career goals, and support you as you achieve your personal goals – all at no cost to you!

The first Workforce FIT Newsletter highlights careers in the Energy Field.  Click here to view this newsletter, and return to this page often for continuing information! 

WIWDB Hosts JAG Recognition Breakfast

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Created: Tuesday, 11 June 2019 14:24

On April 16th, the Western Indiana Workforce Development Board (WIWDB) hosted a recognition breakfast for the 9 JAG programs in our Region.  In addition to celebrating the great work of our JAG instructors, the program also honored local employers who have supported the JAG program over the years.   Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett read a proclamation declaring April 16th, JAG Day in Terre Haute.  Former JAG Student and Sullivan High School graduate, Braelyn Wence spoke to the attendees about the impact JAG has had on her life and what she has accomplished since graduation.  The event closed with Doug Dillion of the Vigo County School Corporation being honored the Outstanding Leadership Award for his continued championing of the JAG program.

Program 

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The JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) model is a comprehensive competency based program focused on the academic attainment and development of essential skills needed to attach successfully to post-secondary education, advanced training and/or the labor market.  The Western Indiana Workforce Development Board was one of the first boards in Indiana to bring JAG to area high schools when the program began in Indiana.  Sullivan High School and Terre Haute North High School partnered with the Board in 2008-2009 to launch the program. 

Since that beginning, the local program has grown from two to nine area high schools. These schools include: Northview High School, Riverton Parke Junior/Senior High School, Sullivan High School, Terre Haute North Vigo High School, Terre Haute South Vigo High School, West Vigo High School, Cloverdale High School, Parke Heritage High School, and North Putnam High School.

Our local JAG network now serves more than three hundred students annually.  Through the hard work of our JAG Specialists, school administrators, local employers, labor, government and community based organizations these area programs continually exceed national “5 of 5” JAG program performance measures. For example, the graduation rate for the regional JAG program last year was 97%.

Over the past eleven years JAG of Western Indiana has positively impacted the lives of approximately two thousand high school students throughout our region.  The achievement of such success requires the support and dedication of numerous people and organizations. 

Matching an Untapped Workforce

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Created: Tuesday, 21 May 2019 18:25

Union Hospital hosted a BLN Event- Matching an Untapped Workforce: Health Care Positions for various high school and agency students. 

Around 70 students and teachers participated in the half day event.  Activities included tours of areas in the hospital to showcase some of the departments that work with persons with disabilities.  Tours of housekeeping, radiology, nutrition, store room and maintenance were experienced by all participants.  Ivy Tech also provided information on all of their health care programs.

After lunch and tours, Hamilton Center spoke about opportunities available for persons with disabilities throughout Hamilton Center.

Marcy Hintzman, ADA Indiana, spoke about her experiences as a person with disabilities and the obstacles she overcame along her career journey.  Marcy explained to the students that they too can do whatever they want as long as they stay focused.

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Attention Dixie Chopper Employees - TAA Meeting

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Created: Tuesday, 26 March 2019 14:40

Attention Dixie Chopper Employees affected by the closing of the Dixie Chopper (Textron) manufacturing Site.

 As one of the workers impacted by the recent closing of Dixie Chopper, this notice is to inform you that the Dixie Choppers’ TAA (Trade Adjustment Assistance) petition was approved. WorkOne Western Indiana is offering important informational sessions for workers and their spouses who were laid off from this location between December 20, 2017 and February 27, 2021 .

Please see below for complete details:

2019 JAG Career Development Conference

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Created: Thursday, 07 February 2019 19:20

After months of preparation and waiting an extra week due to the cold weather, the students from the 8 JAG programs in Region 7 were ready to put their skills to the test.  On Friday, February 1st approximately 200 students gathered on the Terre Haute campus of Ivy Tech for our Region's 8th annual Career Development Conference.

The conference featured competitions in a wide range of categories to utilize the skills the students have been learning throughout the year.  In addition to participating in competitions, the students were able to meet with fellow students from other area JAG programs and network with local employers and elected officials who served as judges for the event.

The first place winner in each competition will move on to the State contest which will be held March 15th at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis.

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For more information about the JAG program, please visit http://workonewest.com/youth/jag-program

Congratulations to everyone who competed and good luck to those moving on to the State competition!

2019 Career Development Conference Winners:

Chapter Brochure

1^st – West Vigo High School

2^nd – Terre Haute South High School

Chapter Commercial

1^st – Terre Haute South High School

2^nd – West Vigo High School

3^rd – Terre Haute North High School

Chapter Service Learning Blog

1^st – Northview High School

2^nd – Terre Haute North High School

3^rd – West Vigo High School

Career Presentation

1^st – Haley Maners Cloverdale High School

2^nd – Jeri Siddens Northview High School

3^rd – Chelsie Edwards Cloverdale High School

Cover Design

1^st – Michelle Brewer Terre Haute North High School

2^nd – Chyene Johnston Terre Haute North High School

3^rd – Meera Patel Terre Haute South High School

Creative Solutions

1^st – Kyra Sparks Sullivan High School

2^nd – Tanner Lutz Terre Haute South High School

3^rd – Will Swinney Parke Heritage High School

Critical Thinking

1^st – Macee Kuhn Northview High School

2^nd – Elizabeth Chandler Sullivan High School

3^rd – Bethany Hall Sullivan High School

Employability Skills

1^st – Jenny Torres Sullivan High School

2^nd – Ling Xiong Parke Heritage High School

3^rd – Emma Cordin Terre Haute North High School

Entrepreneurship Plan

1^st – Gabby Anderson, Leighann Snavely, Devin Allen Terre Haute North High School

2^nd – Teagan Russell Terre Haute North High School

3^rd – Bryson Fairrow, KC Bender Terre Haute South High School

Financial Literacy

1^st – Dalissa Pinkerton Sullivan High School

2^nd – Jewel Auler Terre Haute North High School

3^rd – Jordan Thomas Sullivan High School

Outstanding Senior

1^st - Cheyenne Cox Terre Haute North

2^nd – Cameron Pund Northview High School

3^rd – Chris Fritz West Vigo High School

Public Speaking

1^st – Joleigh Sexton Sullivan High School

2^nd – Dennis Pratt Parke Heritage High School

3^rd – Devon Landrus Terre Haute North

Writing Skills

1^st – Kierra Gillian Cloverdale High School

2^nd – Meera Patel Terre Haute South High School

3^rd – Tanner Sasin Parke Heritage High School