Workforce & Business Training

Leadership Series

Introducing a series of three classes which focus on characteristics of effective leaders, ethics, service, and both leadership and communication skills—with special emphasis on listening and engaging with others effectively.

Become the Leader Others Want to Follow

Spring 2024 Date TBA
8 AM – 12 PM

Instructor: Rich Ellerman
Cost: $85*
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W112
CRN: TBD

This course focuses on the practical aspects of self-evaluation and leadership growth. Attendees learn how to evaluate and recognize servant leadership, engage in effective listening and interaction, as well as learn leadership traits effective leaders have. Much class time is spent on discussion and relatable practices to reinforce continued learning of leadership concepts and actual leadership situations.

Leading From the Front

Spring 2024 Date TBA
8 AM – 12 PM

Instructor: Rich Ellerman
Cost: $85*
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W112
CRN: TBD

This course focuses on personal development practices and leadership growth. Attendees learn how to identify the value and practices of personal goal setting and evaluation of their leadership. Additionally, they learn to be motivational and create an environment of teamwork. Much class time is spent on discussion and relatable practices to reinforce learning of leadership concepts and actual leadership situations.

Leading to Create Other Leaders

Spring 2024 Date TBA
8 AM – 12 PM

Instructor: Rich Ellerman
Cost: $85*
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W112
CRN: TBD

This course focuses on the practical aspects of delegating and setting accountability in other leaders and encourages leadership growth. Attendees learn how to have relatable development conversations and set responsibilities by engaging in “Ownership Mindset.” Much class time is spent on discussion, relatable practices, and role play to reinforce continued learning of leadership concepts and review of actual leadership situations.

*$65 for each class if enroll in all three courses prior to the first class

For more information, contact 217.641.4971 or email the Workforce Development Center.

Electrical Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Spring 2024 Dates TBA (2-day course)
8 AM – 4 PM

Instructor: Rick Gertz
Cost: $1,095 (materials and lunch included)
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W112
CRN: TBD

Working with real-world components, students in this two-day “hands-on” Electrical Troubleshooting course will learn how to fix electrical problems quickly and safely.  This two-day course was created to bring students up to speed in their electrical troubleshooting skills as efficiently as possible, and it was designed to cover the most commonly performed electrical troubleshooting tasks a maintenance technician faces in their job every day.  For the novice or experienced electrician, this training course provides a no-nonsense, practical and real-world systematic approach to electrical troubleshooting.  This course can also be adopted as part of a company’s regular Qualified Electrical Worker program.

Course Goals & Objectives:

• Identify parts of a circuit(s)
• Apply safety when troubleshooting
• Draw out multiple circuits, building the different circuits as they are drawn
• Have a working circuit when completed
• Know how to take voltage measurements from different points of the circuit
• Troubleshoot and repair, from drawing, to have a working circuit when completed

For more information, contact 217.641.4971 or email the Workforce Development Center.

NFPA 70E

Spring 2024 Date TBA
8 AM – 4:30 PM

Instructor: Rick Gertz
Cost: $195 plus $110 book (one book required per company; lunch included)
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W112
CRN: TBD

This eight-hour, instructor-led course teaches an understanding of the mandatory NFPA 70E, 2024 Edition safety standards for electrical safety in the workplace.

This course is intended for hands-on electricians and managers in charge of general electrical safety and covers:

• Hierarchy of electrical safety
• Lockout/tagout requirements
• Proper use of PPE
• OSHA and NFPA safe work practice requirements

For more information, contact 217.641.4971 or email the Workforce Development Center.

10-Hour General Industry

Spring 2024 Dates TBA (2 days)
8 AM – 1:30 PM

Instructor: Bradley Gibbons
Cost: $195
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W112
CRN: TBD

This course is intended to provide entry level general industry workers information about how to identify, abate, avoid and prevent job related hazards on a job site. This course offers the resources and tools to create or enhance an effective safety and health management system, a review of the OSHA Act, and highlights of many key General Industry Safety and Health Standards. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an OSHA 10-Hour General Industry completion card. The course will be taught by an OSHA Authorized Trainer.

For more information, call 217.641.4971 or email the Workforce Development Center.

30-Hour General Industry

Future Dates and Times TBA (4 days)
8 AM – 4:30 PM

Instructor: Bradley Gibbons
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street
CRN: TBD

OSHA 30 Hour General Industry Training course is a comprehensive safety program designed for anyone involved in general industry. This course offers the resources and tools to create or enhance an effective safety and health management system, a review of the OSHA Act, and highlights the General Industry Safety and Health Standards. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an OSHA 30-Hour General Industry completion card. The course will be taught by an OSHA Outreach Authorized Trainer.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the OSHA Act, the functions and resources of OSHA
• Become aware of the OSHA inspection priorities and describe the inspection process
• Know the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees under the OSH Act
• Learn the major hazards associated with general industry work and how to avoid, protect or control them. This includes:
  • Slips, trips, falls associated with walking and working surfaces
  • Effective egress and fire protection program
  • Outline the general requirements for general safety standards
  • Flammable and combustible liquids and gasses
  • Hazards of chemicals
  • Electrical hazards
  • Understand the value of personal protective equipment, usage and limitations
  • Learn the basic elements of a safety and health program

For more information, call 217.641.4971 or email the Workforce Development Center.

10-Hour Construction Industry

Future Dates and Times TBA (2 days)

Instructor: Bradley Gibbons
Cost: $195
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street
CRN: TBD

This course is designed for construction workers, foremen, job supervisors and anyone involved in the construction industry. OSHA recommends the 10-Hour Construction Industry training program as an orientation to occupational safety and health for workers covered by OSHA 29 CFR 1926. Workers must receive additional training, when required by OSHA standards, on the specific hazards of the job. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an OSHA 10-Hour General Industry completion card. The course will be taught by an OSHA Authorized Trainer.

For more information, call 217.641.4971 or email the Workforce Development Center.

DIY Video Marketing: Small Business Edition

Spring 2024 Date TBA
9 AM – 12 PM

Instructor: Andy Skattebo
Cost: $75
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W132
CRN: TBD

Designed for the busy small business owner or marketer and based on real-world examples, this workshop arms you with tips and techniques to shoot, edit, and distribute engaging videos. We’ll help you leverage your smartphone, discover affordable gear and demo essential filming & editing tools. If you would like to use more video on your website or social media but aren’t sure where to start, this workshop is for you.

• Using your smartphone for video
• Affordable apps & accessories to improve your videos
• Simple filming techniques, composition & lighting
• Tips for recording great audio
• Basic editing using low-cost software
• Leveraging AI for video production
• Tons of ideas & examples to get you started

Local Business Boost: Digital Marketing Essentials

Spring 2024 Date TBA
9 AM – 12 PM

Instructor: Andy Skattebo
Cost: $65
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W132
CRN: TBD

Does your small business struggle to stay in front of potential customers and rise above the noise online? Do you rely heavily on word-of-mouth referrals and wonder how to encourage and improve your results? Frustrated with social media? Wish you could reduce ad spend while actually increasing your exposure and sales?

This workshop will show you how to use free and low-cost online tools & services to showcase your local business, attract customers ready to buy, and improve your referrals.

We’ll cover:

• How to ‘own’ your Google search results page
• The best ways to optimize your Google Business Profile and why it matters
• Improving your word-of-mouth referrals with digital marketing
• Real-world examples of what the most innovative and creative small businesses are doing to market themselves online today.
• New for 2023: Leveraging AI tools and tech in your online marketing efforts

A bonus checklist and resources to jumpstart your online marketing efforts.

For more information, call 217.641.4971 or email the Workforce Development Center.

Computer classes customized for employers’ needs

Area employers may request customized classes for Microsoft Office programs, Facebook/Social Media, and Google/Digital Marketing. For more information, employers should contact 217.641.4971 or 217.641.4929 or email the Workforce Development Center.

Nonprofit Board Member Development

Spring 2024 Dates TBA
Fridays, 9 – 11:30 AM

Instructors: Clairice Hetzler and Pam Shaffer
Cost: FREE
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W112
CRN: TBD

The Board Member Development Course addresses the need within our community for knowledgeable and engaged nonprofit board members. This course will help cultivate the skills and characteristics needed to become an effective leader at work and in the community. Coming to understand the connection and need for balance between knowledge and human interest in things outside of self is where growth and development of a true leader begins. This interactive in-person course allows emerging leaders to network with their peers and learn from each other throughout the course. Local nonprofit organizations will be featured allowing participants the opportunity to connect to a mission that speaks to them, and in return allow their specific expertise to be utilized for a greater good.

For more information, contact 217.641.4971 or email the Workforce Development Center.

“AI Unleashed” Lunch and Learn

Spring 2024 Date TBA
11:30 AM – 1 PM

Presenter: Andy Skattebo
Cost: $45
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W112
CRN: TBD

AI isn’t just for tech giants. As a business owner or manager, you need a clear understanding of how AI can revolutionize your daily operations. Learn how AI can save time, reduce costs, and enhance your business strategies. Whether it’s turbo-charging your content creation, enhancing your customer service, improving your sales process, or analyzing data, AI could be a game-changer for your business.

Get a peek at what the most innovative companies are doing with AI today and what’s coming in the near future. We’ll cut through the hype, demo real-world applications, review available tools, and preview a future where AI amplifies your business’s potential.

The AI Advantage: AI Essentials for Small Business

Spring 2024 Date TBA
9 AM – 12 PM

Instructor: Andy Skattebo
Cost: $75
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W112
CRN: TBD

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is more than just a buzzword—it can be a game changer for your small business. This workshop will cover AI’s potential role in your business, revealing practical tools and strategies tailored to small business needs. Whether it’s turbo-charging your content creation, enhancing your customer service, improving your sales process, or analyzing data, AI could make a big difference in your business.

We’ll cover:

• Using AI for your website and social media
• AI for customer service
• Process automation and data analysis
• AI as an executive assistant

Equip your business with the knowledge and tools to navigate the AI landscape effectively. Dive into real-world applications, understand the limitations, and embark on a journey to harness the full potential of AI for your business.

For more information, call 217.641.4971 or email the Workforce Development Center.

Using the Power of Story in Your Nonprofit

Spring 2024 Date TBA
9 AM – 12 PM

Instructor: Andy Skattebo
Cost: FREE
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W112
CRN: TBD

Your nonprofit does great things and has big plans. Unfortunately, it can be hard to communicate that to donors and the people and communities you serve.

This workshop is designed to help you improve your nonprofit’s communications strategy across all channels. You can use the tools and methods provided in this workshop to clarify your messaging, communicate your immediate value, connect with your community, and grow your nonprofit.

The human brain is hardwired to prefer stories. Stories help you make your message easier to understand and remember, so donors and clients pay attention.

Using the Story Framework, you’ll learn to simplify your message using a story-based approach that places the people you serve, and the donors who help you, first.

In this information-packed 3-hr workshop we’ll cover:

• An introduction to the storytelling framework
• The 7 Parts of your story
• Hands-on time to work on your own story framework
• Specific copywriting techniques and samples to improve your communications
• Using AI to jump-start your efforts
• Examples of applying Story to your website, emails, videos and other marketing

You’ll leave with the tools, techniques and confidence to apply what you’ve learned in your own organization.

DIY Video Marketing: Nonprofit Edition

Spring 2024 Date TBA
9 AM – 12 PM

Instructor: Andy Skattebo
Cost: FREE
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W112
CRN: TBD

This workshop is designed to be a quick, basic intro to creating video for social media or your website. We concentrate on using what you have and starting where you are. If you would like to use more video on your website or social media but aren’t sure where to start, this workshop is for you.

• The importance of video for nonprofits
• Using your smartphone for video
• Affordable apps & accessories to improve your videos
• Simple filming techniques, composition & lighting
• Tips for recording great audio
• Leveraging AI for video production
• Basic editing using low-cost software
• Sharing and hosting options & services
• Tons of ideas and examples to get you started

Digital Marketing Essentials for Nonprofits

Spring 2024 Date TBA
9 AM – 12 PM

Instructor: Andy Skattebo
Cost: FREE
Location: JWCC Workforce Development Center, 2710 North 42nd Street, Room W132
CRN: TBD

As a nonprofit, it can be a struggle to communicate your value and services to both donors and clients. In this workshop, we’ll highlight free & low-cost tools and techniques to make sure your nonprofit stands out online.

We’ll cover:

• How to ‘own’ your Google search results page
• The best ways to optimize your Google Business Profile as a nonprofit and why it matters
• Using the power of story in your website to reach both clients and donors
• Real-world examples of what the most innovative and creative nonprofits are doing online today.
• New for 2023: Leveraging AI tools and tech in your online marketing efforts
• A bonus checklist and resources to jumpstart your online marketing efforts.

For more information, call 217.641.4971 or email the Workforce Development Center.