Posts filed under 'Education & Training'
October 27th, 2008
The local Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) chapter hosted Electric Motions Systems and its E-Plus bicycle at their monthly meeting. It is a fascinating unit with the front hub housing the battery and an electric motor in the rear hub. The unit travels easily at 15 MPH for a 30 mile range. See a picture at http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?s=9118449. Joe Etminam, a professor at Rock Valley College will demonstrate the unit at this month’s Venture Club meeting at the EIGERlab on Wednesday, October 29, at 7:00pm. There is no charge but seating is limited. You can register by email to vclub@eigerlab.org or calling Laura at 815-965-3522.
Many opportunities exist in our region for alternative energy systems. Not only to use them but to manufacture them as well. A sort of double whammy for our lifestyle. Electric Motions Systems is seeking additional manufacturing capability and Rockford is a natural choice to explore. Energy systems are not a stranger to local companies. High density power systems are a flagship of Hamilton Sundstrand. Woodward provides the speed controls for all types of power generation systems. Motor systems are produced by Danaher Motion.
October 23rd, 2008
I’ve been observing and listening…when a restaurant closes, is it because of the “R” or is it because the service or food just didn’t hit market requirements?
When the Malls are empty on the Big Sale Day, is it because of the “R” or is it because of stuff made in…you know…over there? Or is it because of fashions of clothes that simply are not appealing to shoppers?
If toys aren’t selling like there’s no tomorrow, is it because of the “R” or is it, well, you guessed it.
Get the idea?
October 21st, 2008
In today’s world of fears of recession, job losses, financial crisis and all the rest, it sometimes pays for us to look backwards to see what, if any, advice we could learn from our ancient past. I’ve done some studying as a hobby and so I thought I’d add a few tips/sayings that I’ve learned. Here are a few:
Be the best ever and better than the rest: Hippolochus son, Glaucus told to Diomedes in Homer’s Illiad; chapter 6. Seems like a good way to view your business and the service to customers.
You will not achieve happiness if you don’t work hard and it’s a shame not to want to work hard: Euripides, 480 BC–406 BC one the three great tragedians of classical Athens. Good advice for each of us.
Cleverness proves better than inflexibility (describing an octopus crawling over a large boulder): Theognis, 6th century BC., ancient Greek poet; Be flexible in adapting to changes in customer requirements.
Well, for now, let’s see how these work and I’ll look for more!
October 20th, 2008
Goodwill Abilities Center and TECHWORKS Training Center are proud to announce that we will be graduating a class of 10 students from our Fast-Track CNC Machine Operator training program this Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 4 pm. TECHWORKS is located at 185 15th Avenue in Rockford.Â
This is a great class of hard working and motivated individuals who will be looking for work in the manufacturing industry upon graduation. The students have been instructed and passed all exams in shop math, safety procedures, reading precision measuring devices including calipers and micrometers, blueprint reading, and manual mill and lathe operations as well as CNC machine operations.Â
 We are very proud of these students and know that they will make excellent employees in our community.Â
The graduation is open to manufacturers and potential employers and you will have a chance after the graduation to meet the students and review their resumes to see if you can find your next great employee. If you are interested in reviewing the students’ information and you can not attend the graduation, please feel free to contact me and I can send you resumes or transcripts and discuss the students with you.Â
 We thank you and hope you will be able to attend!
 Courtney Geiger
Workforce Development Manager
Goodwill Abilities Center/TECHWORKS Training Facility
815.987.6226
Â
October 16th, 2008
The Workforce Connection had their official opening yesterday with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:00 p.m. Although they have been in their new facility since July, this event capped a major move to the Supply Core building on North Main St. in downtown Rockford.
To say the least, the facilities on the 3 floors are very impressive and gives this organization a classy look. Compared to their past location in the shopping mall on south 11th Street, this indeed is a major improvement. Parking was easy in the next door building and easy access to the facilities entrance on the 3rd floor.
The Workforce Connection accomplishes a great deal in providing for training our workforce: Job Fairs (this past January, they hosted 75 exhibitors and over 800 people), Incumbent Worker Training (15 different manufacturers and $58,377 provided), provided classes and graduates from TechWorks to work for Rockford Products, and many more accomplishments just in this past year.
Take a look at their web site for further information. www.theworkforceconnection.orgThis organization is a valuable asset to our community and their new location will allow it to improve their services even further.
October 14th, 2008
“There are 1,600 manufacturing businesses in the nine-county Rochester region.
The average employee at these companies makes more than $57,000 a year, or about $28 per hour, not including benefits. Firms are hiring, there’s plenty of room for advancement and the vast majority of positions require a two-year degree or less.
And for some reason, nobody wants a job.”
I guess we in the Rock River Valley aren’t alone in the quest for people that want to work in manufacturing. See the rest of this story here… http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20081005/BUSINESS/810050328/1001
September 29th, 2008
This morning I attended the Business Forum with a representative from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates. Also in attendance were representatives from the Chamber, RAEDC, RACVB and a major restaurant. After discussing strengths and challenges of the District 205 School District, we opened up about key characteristics of the new superintendent that we thought were important.
The need for a Strategic Plan was one of the first requirements; a Plan approved by the board so that the superintendent would execute. It was apparent that this plan does not exist and needs to be available as they start to finalize the candidates. It seems that some work to the end was being done and hopefully would be made available before a final selection was made.
Strong leaderships skills, engaging with the “customers” a collaborator, one who could “roll up his/her sleeves” and connect with the various organizations in the community were among the major characteristics that we thought were important. As business people and organizations, we see the workforce element of the job very important so the person need not a straight academic but one who has business skills to better understand what the community (customers) needs.
We all felt that the process was good and as it develops, we hope that input will be asked again as the finalists are narrowed down and more of us get the chance to add our opinions. It’s an important selection, so stay tuned.
September 26th, 2008
. . .of the following schedule for focus group meetings with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd., a search firm that specializes in assisting boards with the identification and selection of superintendents.
The RPS School Board invites you to participate in the identification of Leadership characteristics by attending a focus group and/or completing a Leadership Profile Survey form (see below).
  Focus group schedule - in 3 rooms at 201 S. Madison:
    Monday Sept. 29  8:00am    Higher Education
                                9:00         Community Organizations
                                                 Faith based organizations
                                                 Government Officials
                                10:00         Legal Community
                                 11:00         Business Community
                                4:00pm      PTO leaders
Â
     Tuesday, Sept. 30 1:00pm    Other Educators (outside RPS, Regional, Retired..)
                                  4:00         Student leaders
Â
If you are unable to meet with the consultants at your focus group time, please note that you will be able to share your thoughts with the consultants at one of the open Community Forums. The seven Community Forums, which will be facilitated by a member of the consultant firm, will be held on Monday, September 29, 2008 at 8am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm at the District Administration Building, 201 S. Madison, rm #207, Rockford, IL and also at 7pm Monday at Booker Washington Community Center (1005 S. Court) and St. Elizabeth Community Center (1536 S. Main Street).
Please complete and bring the Leadership Profile Survey form to a Forum. If you will be unable to attend a Forum, please see the Rockford Public Schools web site www.rps205.com or mail/fax your completed form directly to the address/fax number indicated at the bottom of the form by October 1, 2008. Â
Thank you in advance for your assistance with this most important task.
Sincerely
Nancy Kalchbrenner
President – Rockford Public Schools Board of Education
September 24th, 2008
It’s now five weeks into the school year and the ACE High School students have been to the IMTS Show, participated in hands-on activities at Rock Valley College, listened to guest speakers, taken a trip to the Burpee to view and test Rock River water samples, and have a trip planned to the electricians’ union.
In this time, the teachers and staff continue to work on the soft skills so many employers desire. We realize the best trained or educated worker adds no value to a company if he/she cannot show up on time or shows little respect for what goes in the work place. Our golden rule at the school is “Respect First.”
Many in the community have asked how they can help make ACE a success. As we look ahead, we will need places for students to experience a full work day their junior or senior year. If you desire to build a relationship with a student who can become a potential employee please contact the school at 815.966.3036.
September 21st, 2008
I saw Superintendent Hernandez this morning and she said that the attendance has increased from the 46 when it was opened a few weeks ago to 52 students now. She commented that students are already been energized by what they are learning. So they are telling their friends and they are now signing up!
This is a great way for this school to increase in attendance. When students get excited and spread the word, great things happen.
Principal Michael Cermak and the ACS/205 staff are doing a great job! Keep it up!
Next Posts
Previous Posts
