State of the City of Redding Luncheon

Construction & Building Trade Labor Law Seminar
Back by popular demand, this seminar was held at the Builders Exchange in collaboration with the Employer Resource Center. Geared specifically for the construction Industry, over 30 participants gathered to hear Senior Deputy Labor Commissioner Cynthia Caldwell and Deputy Labor Commissioner Patricia Huber review Wage Order # 16-2001, followed by a question and answer session.

Enterprise Zone Seminar
Over 50 employers attended this very informative seminar sponsored by the Economic Development Corporation in collaboration with the Employer Resource Center and Cascade Small Business Development Center on January 28th. The number of E-Zone vouchers being issued has reached new levels, providing tax incentives to more businesses than ever before. A special thanks to the presenters including Nancy Heubeck of SBDC, Inez Bays from the ERC, Dave Scott of DH Scott & Company CPA's and, of course, Naomi Geier of the EDC for all of her efforts in coordinating this very timely event. Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Packets are now available on the ERC website at www.shastasmart.com/erc. So the next time you need E-Zone paperwork just click and print.

Anderson High School Career Fair
The Anderson High School Career Fair was held on Tuesday, March 12th, at Anderson High School. The fair showcased over 35 booths providing information on educational institutions, employers, and a variety of career resources available to students.

The Private Industry Council's School To Employment Program (STEP) provided information about job search, the upcoming Job Expo, and information on the services and benefits of the STEP program. The STEP team was on hand to answer questions and distribute over 200 applications along with SMART water bottles and logo pens to promote the STEP program. A big "Thank You" to Carol Perea and Karen Bainbridge for organizing a great event.

STEP into Mock City
Northern Valley Catholic Social Services' annual Mock City event was held on Saturday, March 9th. This was a group activity designed for foster youth in the community as part of their independent living skills training. The event provided an opportunity for over 40 youth to take on "life for the day". Upon entering the city, participants were given a packet explaining their life, including what job they had and how much they made per month. Using this money, they were to open a bank account, team up with a roommate, find a place to live, and turn on their utilities, while still leaving enough money to budget their monthly expenses such as groceries, transportation, and telephone service. Members of the community volunteered to provide booths, some of which represented their company or occupation (DMV, the Cable Company, the Post Office, and RABA).

The Private Industry Councils' School To Employment Program (STEP) team provided a booth, and 10 PIC youth participants were invited to attend the event as part of a partnership between PIC and NVCSS. The STEP team was even joined by a youth volunteer from the older youth program that helped with set up and worked as a 'friendly neighbor' (a person who roamed the gym helping any youth who were off track).

The event was certainly a success, and the STEP program was able to garner many good ideas from this 'Mock City,' as the program plans on holding their own SMART City this spring. This next city should be able to accommodate the youth currently enrolled in STEP, and provide them with an exercise in independent living skills to help fulfill objectives of the program, and to prepare those that are moving out on their own.

Central Valley High School Career Fair
Central Valley High School's Career Fair was held on Wednesday, February 13th. PIC's School to Employment Team (STEP) participated with multiple classroom presentations on the Steps to Success Program and provided a booth to share information on youth services in Shasta County. Over 75 applications were distributed along with fliers covering a variety of topics such as Volunteer Services, Labor Market Information and Job Opportunities for Youth. "Thank you" CVHS for inviting us and we look forward to participating in future school events.

Congressman Wally Herger visits PIC

As part of a district tour, Congressman Wally Herger visited the Private Industry Council and toured the SMART Community Employment Center in Redding, on February 22nd. Congressman Herger was given a complete overview of each department and the services and resources available to job seekers in the CEC, Learning Lab, Youth and Adult Programs, Employer Outreach, Contract Services, and Information Technology.

Each department provided insight to the role that PIC plays, the variety and number of services provided to individuals, and the overall positive contribution made to the Shasta County economy and quality of life affecting everyone. The number and scope of services offered through PIC and SMART Partners showed how efficiently funding has been used and the value gained by the seamless integration of multiple SMART Agencies in delivering services to customers.

Highlighting the day was a discussion with the PIC board and community partners reviewing achievements and requesting continued support of workforce development programs. Representing the 2nd Congressional District of California, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Resources, Congressman Herger will play an important role in the re-authorization of funding for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and associated workforce development programs.

Bruce Benson Training
On February 12th, Bruce Benson came to Redding to facilitate a full day of staff training to all employees of the Private Industry Council on Professional and Ethical Issues. The day began with an overview of fundamentals and key concepts followed by a variety of case studies highlighting issues ranging from information disclosure to professional accountability.

Rapid response activity for the 3rd quarter of the 2001-2002 year decreased considerably from the first half of the year. Employees affected by closure or layoff totaled 110 for the quarter. Compared to 750 people affected in the first half of the year the trend is improving and hopefully will continue to improve throughout the remainder of the year. The following is a list of employers and numbers of jobs lost.

Coca Cola's lay-off was the result of the elimination of night shift personnel and is expected to be only temporary.

On a positive note, despite filing for bankruptcy and closing hundreds of stores nationwide K-Mart in Redding will remain open, continuing to employ 115 people and serving the public as it has since 1975.

Since the implementation of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in July of 2000, the number of people served in the SMART Community Employment Centers (CECs) has increased 3 to 5-fold. In addition to providing Intensive and Training Services to the "traditionally hard to serve" we provide Core Services to anyone entering our centers. Through the use of technology, the Shasta County Private Industry Council tracks the number of people using the SMART Centers and the services provided. Unfortunately, legislation has not allowed for follow up with these individuals to track outcomes.

During the last six months of 2001 over 26,000 visits were made to the SMART Community Employment Centers in Shasta County. These numbers are impressive, but they don't begin to tell the story of some of the lives that have been touched. The following are just a few of the "Faces in the Crowd" who may go unnoticed in the numbers but are the main reason we exist.

Josephine Thompson

Josephine returned to Shasta County in October, after moving to Oregon 2 years ago. Throughout her life Josephine has had lots of cash handling and customer service experience and has "done just about everything" including working as a cook, waitress/ bartender, even a taxi driver in Nome, Alaska.

Josephine started using the SMART Center when she returned to Shasta County and has "taken all the available workshops with the exception of self employment". She also met with Nadine Nowotny from Experience Works (previously Green Thumb and a SMART Partner located in the CEC). Experience Works placed Josephine at the California Conservation Corps on a training assignment. While on assignment, Josephine continued her job search in the CEC and got a job in the Bingo Parlor of Win River Casino as the "Pick 8 Lady". "It's a great fit" for Josephine based on her past work experience and right on the bus line as she has no transportation. "You really have to do it yourself and put forth an effort" was Josephine's advice to other job seekers.

Steve Taylor

Steve has been working at Orchard Supply Hardware in Redding for the past 7 months. Having started off as a Pick-Up-Clerk, working part time, Steve has proven himself as a quality employee and is pursuing a position as a supervisor. He credits the helpful staff of the Redding CEC (especially Jeff Saechao and Rose Amaru) and attending Construction Boot Camp as helping him get his thoughts together, enabling him to find the right job for himself. Steve recently brought his cousin into the center stating "this is the only place anyone has to come to find a job."

Brian Tejano

Brian came to Shasta County from the State of Washington in January 2000. He came to Shasta County "with nothing but the clothes on his back." Shortly after he arrived Brian began using the resources and services of the SMART Community Employment Center. Receiving assistance with his resume and cover letter, along with access to the Job Search Tools available at the CEC, he found employment as a moving and storage professional, a job he loves to do.

Over time, Brian started his own Professional Moving Service and everything was going well until November of 2001 when his business came to a major slow down. In jeopardy of losing his house he came back to SMART and began searching for a new job. Through his diligence and a little help from Resource Specialist Kathy Anderson, Brian started work at Hartsell Trucking in Redding, again doing what he loves to do. If Brian hadn't found work quickly he "would have been forced to return to Washington." Not only did he start work, he now has two additional moving and storage companies asking him to come to work for them after seeing his resume on-line in CalJOBS.

Darick Cardin

A single dad that had just lost his job, Darick Cardin tried everything he could to find another way to support his son. He found himself collecting a welfare check and being sent to participate in our four-week CalWORKs Job Club.

A sick child, court dates, car trouble, and jury duty - all good reasons to miss class - didn't keep Darick from participating. Except for one hour for his court session, he completed the four weeks of Job Club with perfect attendance. Even during the days on jury duty, he did his required job search, dressed every day in a suit, and even attained the job of his dreams. After passing his state test he will be a loan officer. In the meantime, he has been offered two other positions in sales.

Congratulations, Darick, for a job well done!