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Job Readiness and PlacementA significant number of job seekers and low-wage workers in Illinois do not have access to job readiness and placement services that prepare them for living wage jobs.The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) system is designated as the "one stop" for all job seekers needing job preparation services and help in finding work. However, limited federal funding and strict performance measures do not permit universal access to these services. Those with known or suspected barriers to employment —the homeless, high school dropouts, public benefits recipients, ex-offenders —are often denied services. In program year 2005, Chicago served fewer than 10,000 people through WIA despite the much greater need. Illinois' welfare system, which also has a mandate to put cash and food stamp recipients to work, has resources to offer employment services to just a fraction of the nearly 92,000 eligible recipients. Few other opportunities exist for those populations that need a job, but require individualized services to remove obstacles or enhanced skills for successful employment. And few strategies exist to encourage or challenge employers to hire or advance qualified persons from disadvantaged populations. CJC believes that..All individuals have a right to work. Illinois must have a vision and provide a continuum of workforce development services to ensure that all job seekers, especially those with barriers to employment, have access to the job readiness and placement services they need to succeed in today's labor market. These services should be delivered by organizations and institutions best suited to do the job, with adequate funding to achieve desired employment outcomes. That's why we...Work to influence workforce development policies and program implementation to ensure that disadvantaged job seekers have access to the job readiness and placement services they need.
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