Work Experience: Connecting with Employers
Lake County Workforce Development offers quality training to unemployed individuals
under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The new work experience initiative now
allows trainees to complete three months of paid work experience with local
employers. Members of the business service team from Workforce Development
review the pool of current trainees and interview appropriate candidates. They process
work experience agreements and administer drug and background checks.
Two trainees
started their work
experience at the
Lake County
Health Dept. in
Dec. 2013 and
Jan. 2014
Yamilia (above left) was a
lawyer in Cuba and moved
here two years ago. She
took a ‘survival job’ as a
line worker for 6 months
but was laid off. She
learned about the training
programs offered through
Workforce Development.
She completed online
training to become a
Medical Human Resource
Assistant in January 2014.
“It is really hard to look for
Mary Harris-Reese (above
center), oversaw Yamilia and
Carmelita as they assisted with
preparations for an annual audit
cycle at the Health Dept. She
describes the work experience
initiative as a win-win for
everyone.
Carmelita had been a surgical
technician almost two decades
ago but most recently has
Mary says she has been amazed worked in retail and life
at the trainees’ quick grasp of the insurance sales. Ongoing
audit project. The trainees, she
family medical struggles and a
explained, use an electronic
job loss in 2012 reignited her
health record system, develop
passion for the medical field.
reports, spreadsheets and tables She finished medical assistant
and participate in conference
training in January 2014 and
calls.
will take the state exam soon.
work as an immigrant.
This experience has helped
me become more
confident about what I can “This
offer an employer.”
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Carmelita (above right) says
her work experience has
driven home the importance
of documentation. “There is
so much to learn here.”
has been a great experience for me. I’ve gained
as much as they have.” Mary Harris-Reese