Need workers? Almost 1000 per month at WorkPlus.

I attended the WorkPlus board meeting this month, as I usually do.  For those of you not familiar with it, WorkPlus is the workforce development arm of the Clark County Dept. of Job + Family Services.  It has three key arms – employer services, job seeker service, and youth.  WorkPlus is housed in its own facility at 1345 Lagonda Ave., Springfield, and people looking for work visit the center every day.

80% with HS Diplomas, 10% with degrees

What I found surprising, in addition to the fact that they have almost 1000 people going through their doors every month averaging about 2-3 visits per month, is the profile of the population.  As you can see from the July Update below,  about 80% have at least a high school diploma, and 10% have associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees.  When I talk to companies, oftentimes the impression is that WorkPlus is the welfare office, and they only have unqualified people using their services.  The data confirms that this is no the case.

Accessing this workforce  

There is no cost to accessing these workers.  The Chamber has a full-time person on staff to assist you in connecting to this and other hiring/recruiting resources.  Her name is Amy Donahoe, and she is our Director of Hiring & Employer Services.  She has a large amount of experience in both the private and public sectors and a degree in HR as well as serving on the local HR managers board (SHRMA).  Amy can be reached by email at adonahoe@greaterspringfield.com or by phone at 937.325.7621.

The July 2009 WorkPlus update

Here is the PowerPoint WorkPlus Director Lehan Peters made to the board.