Business Details
Your Trusted Workforce Development Partner in Will County
The Workforce Services Division-Will County is a local board appointed by the County Executive to develop an integrated workforce system that meets the needs of job-seekers, employers, and communities. Comprising business, community, and education leaders, the Board collaborates with public and private partners to set policies that create an accountable, responsive workforce development system. We ensure training aligns with labor market demands through one-stop service centers and qualified providers, while establishing performance measures and gathering employment statistics. Our partnerships with state, regional, and local agencies deliver seamless, customer-focused services that improve long-term employment outcomes. We administer federally funded programs as integrated services, prioritizing transparency and community relationships to maximize the impact of every dollar invested.Our committees focus on system design, communications, and program operations to address economic trends and promote workforce development initiatives. We work with employers to identify training needs, certify providers, and fund programs leading to placement in high-demand occupations. Our Youth Program and occupational skill training initiatives prepare individuals for careers in industries critical to Will Countys economy. We maintain compliance with federal and state regulations, including accreditation requirements for training providers, and ensure accessibility to workforce services for all residents.
Services
Workforce Training
Youth Programs
Employer Services
Career Counseling
Job Placement Assistance
Highlights and features
- We partner with state and local agencies to deliver seamless workforce services.
- Our programs align with Will County's labor market demands and economic priorities.
- We certify training providers meeting industry standards for quality education.
- We focus on high-demand occupations to maximize employment opportunities.
- Our board includes diverse stakeholders representing business, education, and labor.
What people say
Successful job placements
Strong employer connections
Helpful career counseling
Effective youth programs
Services
Workforce Training
We offer workforce training programs aligned with high-demand occupations in Will County. Our certified providers deliver skills development in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. Training leads to job placement and career advancement opportunities for residents.
Youth Programs
Our Youth Program prepares young adults for careers through work readiness training and occupational skill development. Participants gain experience in in-demand fields while employers access a pipeline of trained workers for future hiring needs.
Employer Services
We help employers identify workforce needs and connect with training providers. Our services include customized hiring solutions, access to skilled candidates, and guidance on workforce development funding opportunities to support business growth in the region.
Career Counseling
Our one-stop centers provide career counseling to help job-seekers identify their strengths and match them with appropriate training and employment opportunities. Services include resume assistance, interview preparation, and labor market information.
Job Placement Assistance
We facilitate job placement through partnerships with local employers and training providers. Our system connects qualified candidates with open positions while helping businesses fill critical roles in high-demand industries across Will County.
People
Caroline Portlock
Director, Workforce Investment Board
Caroline Portlock leads the Workforce Services Division-Will County, overseeing workforce development initiatives that connect job-seekers with training and employment opportunities while supporting regional economic growth through strategic partnerships.
Pat Wendholt
Administrative Specialist
Pat Wendholt manages administrative operations for the Workforce Services Division-Will County, ensuring compliance with federal and state workforce development regulations while supporting training provider certification and program implementation processes.
Questions
What services does the Workforce Services Division-Will County offer?
We provide workforce training, youth programs, career counseling, job placement assistance, and employer services through our one-stop centers in Will County.
How do you help local employers?
We connect employers with trained candidates, offer customized hiring solutions, and help identify workforce development funding opportunities to support business growth in high-demand industries.
What training programs are available?
Our certified training providers offer programs in high-demand fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and technology that lead to job placement in Will County.
How are training providers selected?
Providers must meet industry standards, have proper accreditation, and offer programs aligned with Will County's demand occupations list to ensure quality workforce development.
What youth programs are available?
Our Youth Program offers work readiness training and occupational skill development to prepare young adults for careers in in-demand fields with local employers.
How is funding determined?
Funding decisions prioritize programs that address local workforce needs, with transparency in allocation to maximize impact on employment outcomes and economic development.
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