The Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) program helps local employers develop and implement training programs for current employees who need intensive services in order to retain employment. IWT provides employers with a means of working with their current employees who need to improve their skills in order to avoid being laid off or to qualify for promotion in their Career Pathway.

Contact Tony Logue at alogue@lakelandcollege.edu for more information on Incumbent Worker Training projects.

It has been a banner year for IWT. Check out the most recent IWT projects in LWIA 23...

The Entrance Conference for the kickoff to DCEO monitoring was on Monday, May 15th and the Soft Exit Conference took place on Thursday, May 18th. We expect a final conference to take place in the next two weeks, after which the official letter of findings will be issued.

At the soft exit, DCEO monitors commended CEFS for their organization and thoroughness. In fact, they will be recommended for a programmatic best practice! Thank you all for your diligent work!

We are confident final monitoring results will be positive.

The LWIA 23 Memorandum of Understanding, or The MOU, is the agreement amongst all WIOA partners in LWIA 23 to commit to service integration. It is our agreement to effectively collaborate to optimize the quality of services provided at our local One-Stop Center/American Job Center in Effingham. We also include the budget of infrastructure costs and reflect how each required partner contributes its proportionate share of costs at the One-Stop.

Our most recent MOU has been updated and is currently awaiting signatures from one more partner. The updated MOU will go into effect July 1, 2023 and expire June 30, 2026.

The LWIA 23 Business Services Team is currently working on plans for hosting Sector Roundtable discussions and implementing the Talent Pipeline Management framework to help sector partnerships develop solutions for their talent pipeline challenges.

Upcoming sector roundtables include information technology, child care, and healthcare.

The BST started the planning process for hosting an event in recognition of Workforce Development Month in September. Stay tuned for more exciting details to come!



Next BST meeting will be held at the Kluthe Center in Effingham on Wednesday, June 21st at 1 pm. Join us!

Kaskaskia College AIMs to Improve Career Exploration In Manufacturing

As reported by WGEL - Kaskaskia College is partnering with district high schools and industry leaders to create a new program, the Aspirations in Manufacturing (AIM) dual enrollment program beginning Fall 2023.

The team at KC developed the AIM program after hearing from industry partners of their struggle to find employees to fill open manufacturing positions. AIM is a two semester, 16-hour dual enrollment program and is open to all district high school juniors and seniors. AIM provides students career exploration into the rapidly growing manufacturing industry mentor from the manufacturing industry will provide guidance and leadership in the program.

Manufacturing is currently the largest industry in Illinois when ranked by overall contribution to GDP. Manufacturing operations employ more than 600,000 statewide, over 44,000 in the region and, in the coming years, is expected to see the largest amount of job growth compared to all other occupations. While only 6 of the 17 district high schools currently offer dual credit coursework related to manufacturing, the AIM program will bridge this gap by offering manufacturing learning opportunities to students in all KC district high schools.

“Modern manufacturing is more brain than brawn,” said Carli Sanders, Manufacturing & Work- Based Learning Coordinator. “High-tech skills are in demand to shrink the skills gap and manufacturing offers a wealth of rewarding opportunities we want to ensure students are taking advantage of.”

“Manufacturing in our region is very interesting and diverse” said Jimmy Bays, Director of Operations at Bettendorf Stanford. “Basic manufacturing principles and soft skills are in demand, and the AIM program will get our area high school students excited and ready to begin a career at any manufacturer, or to continue their education in the vast array of technical trades.”



The AIM program is part of the KC NOW dual enrollment program which allows students to enroll in college courses at Kaskaskia College for half the tuition costs. Students applying to the program must be on track to complete high school graduation requirements and receive an endorsement from their high school guidance instructor or faculty.

To learn more about KC’s AIM program please contact Manufacturing & Work-Based Learning Coordinator Carli Sanders at 618-545-3428.

Look out for Carli Sanders and Joy Fitts in an upcoming WIN: Workforce Innovation News episode! Subscribe now so you do not miss it!

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Please contact Jamie Corda Hadjaoui to have your events, business news, or other workforce highlights added to the newsletter.

In a regional effort to address gaps in our local workforce, LWIA 23 is on the mission to bring Talent Pipeline Management concepts home!

Jamie Corda Hadjaoui and Courtney Yockey are now officially TPM certified! We are excited to bring another tool to support a thriving workforce in our region! If you are interested in the TPM Academy, check out the opportunity from the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation -

Are you ready to start your Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) journey? Building a winning workforce starts with you, and it just got easier.

Join the US Chamber of Commerce on Monday, June 5, 2023, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET/1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CS  for an introductory overview to TPM and the TPM Academy® with the experts on our team, a deeper dive into the benefits of the new TPM Co/Lab™ platform, and an insightful panel with our partners who are doing this important work across the country. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions. Plus, we have a special offer for those who attend live.

The TPM Academy equips you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to implement talent supply chain solutions that create shared value for students, workers, education and training partners, and employers using our custom TPM Academy curriculum. Employers, employer associations, and education and training providers can earn an assessment-based certificate to demonstrate their knowledge of the proven TPM framework and methodologies, while building an international community of peer professionals to learn and grow with. Those that wish to advance their standing can participate in continued education opportunities and apply for Verified Practitioner status through a peer-review process. 

WIOA Wednesday Webinars

Learn more and register at ilworkforceacademy.com/workforce-webinars/

Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB)

IWIB is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation and modification of the Unified State Plan, convening all relevant programs, required partners and stakeholders, and providing oversight and strategic leadership for the state workforce development system.



Through a committee and task force structure, IWIB representatives from private/public partner programs offer policy recommendations to strengthen Illinois' workforce system. All policies developed or commented upon include input from partners and the general public.

Learn more at illinoisworknet.com/WIOA

Workforce GPS

WorkforceGPS is your online technical assistance website created to help build the capacity of America's public workforce investment system. WorkforceGPS was developed specifically for workforce professionals, educators, and business leaders. Here you will find curated communities of interest, useful webinars and other training resources, promising workforce development practices, and relevant evidence-based research – giving you the tools you need to help you create innovative approaches to improve the employment prospects of job seekers.

Learn more at WorkforceGPS.org

ION - Innovation and Opportunity Network

The Innovation and Opportunity Network (ION) is designed to support state and local workforce development boards, system professionals, and employers, helping you find the resources you need to successfully implement the vision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). With links to guidance documents, the latest technical assistance and training tools, and numerous ways to engage with your peers across the country, ION helps you stay informed and connected as you navigate towards WIOA implementation success. 

Learn more at ION.workforcegps.org

WIOA Works Illinois

​WIOA Works Illinois is an online resource to assist business and industry leaders, policy makers, community organizations and workforce professionals in achieving success under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This site will keep you up-to-date on our state's policies and programs, highlight local innovation by sharing best practices and success stories, and outline specific policies to ensure a skilled workforce for our state's employers.

Learn more at Illinois WorkNet