New Links to Online Resources for Employers
The Employer Resource Center (a partnership of PIC and EDD) has expanded the Employers section on the SMART One-Stop website. The new "Links to Online Resources" leads to placement services, labor market information, state and federal government links and Workforce/HR Sites, with a brief description of what these sites have to offer. http://www.shastasmart.com/erc

New SMART Community Employment Handouts, especially for Women
A packet of information on "Non-Traditional Careers for Women" has been added to the SMART CEC Handouts in the partner section of our One-Stop website. It includes information on job opportunities, barriers, strategies and schooling. handouts

Business Outreach
The Employer Resource Center has developed a program where it goes out to local businesses, providing information, and asking about training and other needs. This program is in addition to its monthly Employer-to-Employer Mentorship Program. The monthly programs feature a different topic each month of interest to employers. For information about program topics, contact Inez Bays at 530-245-1571.

Closure of Shasta Paper

On August 20th, Shasta Paper Company closed, permanently laying off 400 workers. On Tuesday, August 21st representatives from EDD and PIC, along with representatives from the mill met with approximately 350 employees (Rapid Response visit). The workers received information on their 401Ks, their managed health network, Unemployment Insurance, retraining options, and the services available to them at the One-Stop centers. Representatives from the Tehama County one-stop system were also available to invite them to utilize the services of the Red Bluff office, if that was more convenient for them.

On Friday, August 24th, the Anderson One-Stop held an open house for the Shasta Paper employees. Almost 200 employees visited the center for the morning event. Present at the open house were EDD, Shasta College, Microenterprise Development Program, a number of employment agencies, Win River Casino and Career Academy.

This ad (a pdf file) ran in the Redding and Anderson newspapers, directed to potential employers, listing the positions held by the laid-off workers.

Currently, former employees of the mill and representatives from the International Union of Papermaker Employees are undertaking a study, estimated to cost $100,000, to determine the feasibility of an employee buyout of the mill. The City of Anderson and the County of Shasta have each pledged $25,000 towards the study. Another $25,000 has been committed from the U.S. Forest Service through the Superior California Economic Development District. The former mill employees have formed a new entity known as the Shasta Paper Employee Buyout Association and will contribute $5,000 towards the study.

More Closures
Lumberjack is liquidating its entire chain of stores. The Redding store employed 30 workers. Some were laid off immediately, while others will be released as merchandise is liquidated. Sun Air Express closed on September 18, laying off 30 workers, many of whom were pilots.

City of Anderson partners with Anderson Partnership for Healthy Children
The City of Anderson and the Anderson Partnership for Healthy Children have closed escrow on the former Masonic Lodge building in Anderson. The facility will become a teen center. The APHC will pay a monthly rental to the City in a fifteen-year lease. The center will offer after school activities, special events, computers for teen use, and generally serve as a meeting place for the youth group, Teens at Heart. For more information, the teen center can be reached at 356-5684.

Employer Hiring Cycles
Kathy Porter, local EDD Labor Market Analyst, has developed a report which analyzes monthly hiring trends for specific industries. The Employer Resource Center staff has been utilizing these results to get job orders at peak hiring times. Each month staff focuses on a specific industry and contacts prospective employers/companies for job openings. The transportation and trucking industry was targeted for August, while the focus for September was retail trade. Kathy can be contacted at lmid.kporter@edd.ca.gov.

Shasta College update
Celebration of a partnership. On September 18th, 135 people gathered in the PIC parking lot for lunch to celebrate the new partnership between Shasta College and the Private Industry Council. Representatives from the College, PID staff and many partners learned about the new Division of Economic and Workforce Development, headed by former PIC Executive Director, Don Peery.

Registered Nursing State Test. The Caregiver Initiative Grant, which has provided funding for various caregiver training opportunities, has been authorized to pay for the registered nursing state test for the students participating in the RN program at Shasta College. These tests are given bi-annually and cost $380.

Clinical Medical Assistant Program. Shasta College is writing a grant application for a clinical medical assistant program. As part of the application process, the College needs to show other agency support. PIC has pledged $10,000 out of the Caregiver Initiative funds for this endeavor. That money would be applied to instructor curriculum costs and one teacher's salary.

Shasta College Employment Center gets SMART. The Shasta County One-Stop system has opened a new branch at the Shasta College Employment Center. The new enlarged center will provide training, workshops and information about available jobs as well as help for employers looking for qualified students. Students who sign up for the SMART program at the College will also have access to the other Shasta County One-Stop facilities.

Photo courtesy of the Shasta College Lance

Construction Boot Camp finishes season
The final group of Construction Boot Camp students graduated on September 21st. Of the 150 graduates of the program, 85% have found entry-level jobs in the construction industry. The Construction Boot Camp will hold more classes, beginning next March. The Camp is a partnership of the Shasta Builders' Exchange, Shasta College's Division of Economic and Workforce Development and the Private Industry Council.