Posted: 2/8/05
Job seekers: check out Workforce Development
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
If you are looking for a job, or looking for a BETTER job, you might want to stop at Workforce Development, Inc., in Caledonia.
The non-profit corporation has a lot to offer. The staff can help with job searches, writing resumes and cover letters, filling out job applications, and improving interviewing and computer skills.
ìJust about anybody can come in here and receive the benefit of our services free of charge,î Dallas Groten, the area manager for Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI), said. They specialize in work skill development for people ages 14 and up.
Sometimes people will come in just to ìpick the brainsî of the staff, Groten said. That staff includes two career counselors, Tami Sheff and Wanda Jensen, and Teri Sheehan, the intake specialist.
Staff members sometimes go out in the community and work with young people, and even provide transportation on occasion.
Sheff, who lives near Rushford, said on January 24 that a lady had just come to tell her about applying for a job. They had discussed financing and budgeting, and talked about her family.
Whatís going on at home affects how they do at work, Sheff said. Basic things like transportation and child care are overlooked when it comes to employment, she said.
ìSo many employers donít understand the needs of single parents,î Sheff said. For example, a single mother who has a sick child has to stay home and miss work.
Sheff and Jensen do assessments with clients. They look at basic needs like housing, education, work history, and what they like and want to do.
They also recommend that people do job shadowing to see if they want to do that job. ìWhat it says on paper can be a lot different than what it is in real life,î she said.
Sheff conveys a sense of caring about her clients. Asked about that, she replied that WDI is a fun and dedicated environment. The office is helped by the bright smile that comes quickly to Teri Sheehanís face when she greets people entering the door.
ìWe try to be laid back, welcoming,î Sheff said.
Sheff feels the local economy is not good, despite the recent good news that Fastenal is opening a calling center in the old elementary school. ìItís slim pickings to say the lest, especially for people that donít have transportation and can only work in Caledonia.
The city has a lot of great employers, she said, but people donít leave their jobs.
The two biggest employment issues that she sees are transportation and daycare.
When no transportation is available, she and her client will brainstorm ideas, like ways to get a drivers license reinstated or finding a family member or neighbor to ride-share with. But thatís not easy to do, Sheff said.
As for daycare, Sheff refers her clients to the county, which has a list of licensed providers. Infant slots are hard to find, she said.
ìMaking decent moneyî
Denise Kidd of rural Caledonia provides a good example of how Workforce Development can help people.
Kidd moved to Caledonia from Wisconsin two years ago. She had trouble finding a job, so she asked Houston County family worker Jeanette Twite where to find a job service. Twite referred her to WDI.
Kidd went there, and had Sheff help her update and organize her resume. Kidd was also able to brush up on her word processing and spreadsheet skills on a WDI computer, and apply for some jobs on-line.
Sheff told Kidd about a job at Northern Engraving in Spring Grove. Kidd got the job, then five weeks later switched to a job at Steuart Labs in Mabel. She started out as a shipping manager for the company, which makes, sells, and repackages therapeutic lotions. She has since been promoted to plant manager.
ìItís a big job,î Kidd said on February 3 at her office at the former Mabel Floral and Gift building on Main Street. ìBut Iím actually making decent money. I can support my family. I have three daughters. Actually have a few extras.î
Kidd recommends Workforce Development, not only for the job skills, but for the friendly ear that workers like Sheff provide. Sheff gave her emotional support, and talked her through tough times after Kidd went through some domestic violence.
ìAnd I still call and talk to her,î Kidd said. ìWhen I was promoted to plant manager, I called her and said, ëTami, guess whatí.î
Kidd also asked Sheff if she had anyone else like herself who might be a good fit at Steuart Labs. Sheff sent Jessica Holly of Spring Grove her way, and now Holly is working at Steuart Labs too, so thereís a ripple effect from Workforce Development.
Not a state program
WDI is privately funded through foundations and fees for services. It is not funded by the state or county, which Groten said is a common misconception.
But Workforce Development does offer government-based programs. For example, it works with the Private Workforce Investment Act to help dislocated workers. There are also state and federal-based youth programs to build work ethic in young people, especially high school dropouts.
WDI also runs welfare reform programs under contract with Houston County. (See sidebar with this story for more on this.)
The general public knows very little of what goes on at WDI, Groten said. Part of that is because some customers need to remain confidential because they are on public assistance. But Groten emphasized that Workforce Center doesnít just cater to them.
WDI, which began in 1984, has a board of directors made up mostly of private sector employers. It also has a joint powers board represented by county commissioners from Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, and Steele Counties. Dallas Groten is in charge of Fillmore, Houston,and Wabasha Counties.
The Caledonia office at 110 East Grove Street has offices for counselors, and a larger classroom-type space that can be used for job search activities.
A back room area accommodates GED (General Education Development) classes every Tuesday night. These classes are not an official part of WDI, but the two programs work closely together, Groten said.
The women at WDI have been a tremendous asset to the GED program in Caledonia, according to Judy Flaten, the former GED teacher. ìWe do work back and forth. They recommend people to me and I recommend people to them,î Flaten said. ìThey have gone out of their way to be helpful to me and the students who take part in our programs.î
There is another fine point about WDI in Caledonia, Groten said: it is not Workforce Development Center. Centers are more like a mall, and have state employees providing job and rehabilitation services. Centers are located in Albert Lea, Austin, Faribault, Owatonna, Red Wing, and Rochester.
WDI offices are located in Caledonia, Dodge Center, Preston, and Wabasha.
Groten said that for every dollar that WDI invests in its clients, five dollars is returned to the community in taxes paid and welfare savings generated.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com