Services for Employers
On-the-Job Training • Incumbent Worker Training • Work Experience • Customized Training
How We Can Help
The Workforce Connection offers a Business Services Team that connects with employers in the region to assist with attracting, retaining, and developing talent through various training and additional services.
Training
On-the-Job Training
If an employer is willing to train a new full-time employee on the job, financial incentives may be available to off-set a portion of the individual’s wages during the training period.
Customized Training
Customized Training is designed to meet the special requirements of an employer or employers and is conducted with a commitment by the employer to employ an individual on successful completion of training.
Incumbent Worker Training
The incumbent worker training program is designed to assist employers in upgrading the skills of their workforce in order to remain competitive in both regional and global markets.
Work Experience
The Work Experience program can be a great fit for potential employees with limited work histories.
Additional Services
Apprenticeships are a work-based learning model. They are commonly referred to as ‘earn and learn’, where mentored on-the-job training is combined with relevant classroom instruction. The U.S. Department of Labor has five core components to meet quality standards for a registered apprenticeship:
– Employer Participation
– Structured On-the-Job Training
– Related Instruction
– Rewards for Skills Gains
– National Occupational Credential
National Career Readiness Certificate
Individuals who successfully complete the three WorkKeys assessments—Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents—earn the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® (WorkKeysNCRC®), a valuable credential for students and job seekers seeking to verify foundational workplace skills. ACT WorkKeys also offers additional assessments to measure interests, values, and behaviors that can lead to greater job satisfaction.
ACT WorkKeys® assessments are the cornerstone of ACT workforce solutions. The assessments measure foundational skills required for success in the workplace, and help measure the workplace skills that can affect job performance. WorkKeys assessments are:
- Relevant—WorkKeys® assessments are developed to solve actual workplace problems. Unlike other assessments, they don’t simply give an indication of reading and writing competency. Instead, they measure a range of hard and soft skills relevant to any occupation, at any level, and across industries.
- Recognized—Successful completion of WorkKeys core assessments can lead to earning an ACT WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate™ (ACT WorkKeys NCRC®)—a credential that verifies the skills found to be most essential across industries and occupations. Tens of thousands of employers recognize the value of the NCRC, and many recommend the credential to candidates.
Calendar
Calendar of Events
Career Assistance Application
Receive Education and/or Training Assistance
Community Impact
View Our Most Recent Annual Report
303 N Main Street, 3rd Floor, Rockford, IL 61101
600 S State Street, 2nd Floor, Belvidere, IL 61008
307 W. Main St., Freeport, IL 61032
(Freeport Temporary Address as of 04/29/24:
210 W. Spring Street, Stephenson Room, Freeport, IL 61032)
(815) 847-7574 | TTY (800) 526-0844
Email: info@theworkforceconnection.org
The Workforce Connection– an Illinois WorkNet Center and partner in the American Job Center network. This program is funded by The Workforce Connection, Inc., Il Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, and the U.S. Department of Labor. The Workforce Connection is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this website may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment by calling TTY (800) 526-0844 or 711. Contact the Equal Opportunity Officer at 815-395-6638. This program is subject to the provisions of the “Jobs for Veteran’s Act” Public Law 107-288, which provides priority of services to veterans and spouses of certain veterans. To view additional information related to the U.S. Department of Labor funding of this program, please visit www.theworkforceconnection.org/USDOLstatement
