Although unemployment in Illinois dropped in September, falling from 7.3 percent in August to 6.9 percent, there are still many in the area without work. Back in April of this year, only 5.4 percent of residents were unable to find jobs in Illinois.
Hoping to alleviate the jobless problem plaguing the state, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich recently announced that Illinois’ workforce development system, Illinois workNet, and CareerBuilder.com have decided to partner up. This will provide residents with extra assistance through career planning, training and job placement services, according to a recent press release.
All of this new attention will be focused mainly on the state’s four industries with the with highest job growth, which the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity at Southern Illinois are information technology, manufacturing and transportation, distribution and logistics. These sectors provide jobs in Illinois that tend to have good benefits and salaries.
“I know that the national economic slowdown continues to challenge Illinois’ workers. The state of Illinois is doing our part to make sure Illinois workers have the resources needed to compete in today’s marketplace,” said Governor Blagojevich in a recent press release. “The Illinois workNet Portal, and our new partnership with CareerBuilder.com, provide critical tools and resources for Illinois job seekers.”
Illinois workNet Portal and Program will be providing residents and area businesses important resources that are geared toward “enhancing” the state’s workforce development. Users will be able to access all of this information through the Internet from the comfort of their own homes.
CareerBuilder.com will be improving upon workNet’s already existing web-based by the addition of their Critical Skills Shortage Initiative and Rapid Response Events. It is expected that this will increase the opportunities available for both individuals and businesses.
“CareerBuilder.com is proud to partner with the Governor and the state of Illinois on this innovative public-private partnership. It is our hope that this new tool will promote jobs in high-growth industries and help provide resources needed for individuals looking to move into these careers,” said Brent Rasmussen, who is the President of CareerBuilder North America, in a recent statement. “CareerBuilder.com has been headquartered in Illinois since 2002 and we attribute much of our own success to the incredible employees that we have been able to hire in the state.”
Jack Lavin, director of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, agrees that this will benefit job seekers and area businesses.
“Illinois workNet represents one of the many ways Governor Blagojevich and the State of Illinois are working to help develop, maintain and support a strong, skilled, well-trained workforce,” Lavin said. “We are proud to partner with CareerBuilder.com to expand Illinois workNet’s offerings in high-growth industries, helping hardworking Illinoisans who have been affected by industry downturns.”
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