| Career Success for Lake County |
Summer 2010 |
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 Lake County Workforce Development
is a partner in the Job Center of Lake County
1 N. Genesee St. Waukegan, IL 60085 847.377.3450
800 Lancer Lane Grayslake, IL 60030 847.543.7441 |
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Summer Youth Employment Program in Full Swing
225 young people in Lake County are working this summer for six weeks thanks to a grant available through the Workforce Investment Act. For most of the young people who are age 14 or 15, this is their first work experience.
Computing at Waukegan Job Center | "The goal of the program is to give young people their first exposure to the working world. They put work readiness qualities into action; they have to show up on time, communicate with supervisors and staff and complete tasks accurately," said Jennifer Everett, Workforce Development Youth Manager.
The young people are working at 35 different sites throughout Lake County including the Lake County Health Department, Lake County Housing Authority, Gurnee Park District, Zion Township, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake County, and various libraries and schools. Many are employed as camp counselor aides, janitorial or landscaping crew members or clerks. They are earning $8.25 per hour while working about 25 hours per week. Ebony says she likes her job at North Chicago Public Library because it gets her out of the house. Breanna adds that the experience gives her a chance to "get ready for the real world." Andrew says he's glad his teachers referred him to the summer program. "I think it's pretty awesome because I can work, earn money and help my family out." He says the experience has taught him to be more responsible, punctual and to dress for success.
Landscaping for Zion Township |
Cleaning at North Chicago Library | |
Training Leads to Career As a Dental Assistant
Evelyn quit her job as a Retail Supervisor in 2000 and spent almost a decade caring for family members. She started looking for work again in 2009 but found the employment market had changed radically. After consulting with staff at the Job Center of Lake County, she decided she needed training in a new field. Funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), she attended Dental Assistant Training at a local school. She also attended job search workshops at the Job Center and spent considerable time in the resource room applying for jobs online.
Just before graduation, Evelyn learned about a job opportunity at Great Lakes Naval base. The application process was intense; she says she spent hours on the computer filling out forms. On May 10, 2010, she began working as a Dental Assistant at the naval base, earning $14/hr plus benefits.
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