Departments and Offices

     Vermilion County Job Training Partnership’s mission is to provide job training and retraining services to unemployed, economically disadvantaged or displaced adults and youth; to provide business services to area employers; and to contribute to the planned economic development of Vermilion County, Illinois.

Adult Services

    The program provides a diversity of job training programs and services. A resource area is available which provides updated local labor market information, career information, and training provider information. Trained professional staff is available to assist adults with career goals, work skills identification, resume preparation and job search skills preparation. Basic education programs and supportive services prepare clients to compete in the workforce and/or to advance their educational levels. Vocational skills classroom training programs prepare individuals for specific occupations and/or skill sets. Training may be three weeks or two years in length and programs are provided by WIA certified training providers.

Dislocated Worker Program/Rapid Response Unit

    Assists workers who have been laid-off or dislocated from their jobs due to reductions in workforce or plant closures with improving existing work skills or re-training for new careers. Trained professionals help participants establish career goals by matching individual interests and abilities to occupations in demand. The Rapid Response Unit works in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity to insure that pre-layoff services are delivered to dislocated workers in a timely and effective manner. The Unit can be ready to respond to a potential event within a matter of days, and provides valuable information concerning programs and assistance available to dislocated workers.

Employer Services

    Human Resource Assistance:

• Skill match to job orders, information regarding WIA
  
• Basic Skill Testing and Assessment: Math, Reading, Vocational Aptitude testing services Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Certification: Screening and certification of job applicants for qualification for employer tax credit status and one-time assistance of $500 per employee—minimum of five employees hired within the same calendar year.
  
• Customized Training Assistance: Partner with employer to pay for up-front pre-employment training.
  
• On-The-Job-Training (OJT): This training option provides vocational skills training, retraining, work experience and job placement for WIA clients through contractual agreement with local business and industry. This is a hire-first, on-site training program for which the employer is reimbursed 50 percent of the eligible applicant wages (maximum of 400 hours) during the training period upon successful completion of the training, the WIA worker is retained by the employer in a permanent unsubsidized job.

Eligibility Requirements/Limitations

    Core services are free and available to all job seekers in Vermilion County. Program applicants seeking intermediate and intensive adult services must be 18, residents of Vermilion county, and meet family income levels determined by the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity (DCEO). All males must have registered with Selective Service. Participants will receive follow-up services for one year after the completion of the program services.

      Participants in customized training and OJT’s must be employed.

    Participants in the Dislocated Worker Program must be employees and/or employed in an occupation or by the same employer for one year in an occupation or industry that is low in growth and laid off or experiencing a substantial lay-off event. Employees and/or residents of Vermilion County who lose their employment due to a business or plant closure are also eligible if actively employed at the time the business closes.

Youth Services

    VCJTP operates special training programs for youth ages 14-21 contracting with local youth service agencies to provide pre-employment skills training prior to youth being placed in work experience, limited internships, and/or employment with local employers.