Adams County Works

Open the Work Ready Toolbox

Job seekers in Adams County have a formula for success with a list of skills and qualities that local employers want in their workers. The Adams County Work Readiness Team worked with employers and educators to compile a list of Essential Workplace Skills that are needed by job seekers. More than 30 companies and 20 agencies/educators have endorsed these skills. 

 

Jump to Inspire Works

Inspire Works is a web based program designed to increase communication between students, job seekers, educators and employers. The goal of Inspire Works is to bring the groups together to help individuals achieve their career goals and address the workforce development needs of our community.
 
  • Pre-employment skills include personal preparedness for a job interview and the basic skills needed to search for a job. Applicants need to be dressed properly for a job search, have good grooming and make sure they have a resume in the right format. Many job seekers also need basic computer skills to apply for jobs online and access to email to communicate with potential employers.
  • Foundational skills include a strong work ethic, time management skills, the ability to read and understand material, a can-do attitude, listening skills, goal setting, written and oral communication skills, computer skills, a sense of citizenship, basic math skills and the ability to adapt.
  • High-performance skills include creativity, critical thinking skills, a willingness to show initiative, innovation, leadership skills, a desire for life-long learning, problem solving skills, reasoning and logic, self-esteem, the ability to work in teams, technological skills and advanced written communication skills.
 
The Adams County Work Readiness team consists of business, education and social service representatives from across Adams County. The group's mission is to develop work ready citizens to become successful, productive members of the regional workforce.
 
In talking with employers, many are seeing job seekers with a lack of soft skills. Those can be difficult to teach and often are not included in traditional class work.
 
The development and community-wide endorsement of the Essential Workplace Skills the first step to help job seekers - from first time youth to seasoned adults - experience workplace success.

 

Job seekers needing help to create a resume, complete a sample job application or develop skills using this toolbox, can contact one of the following agencies offering job search assistance at no cost:
 

Workforce Service Center

107 North 3rd (3rd & Maine)  |  217-222-1560
Sessions on resumes and job search tips every Wednesday from 2 - 3 p.m. Sessions on job training programs and other resources on the first and third Tuesdays from 10 - 11 a.m.
 

John Wood Community College Career Services

1301 South 48th Street  |  217-641-4941
Career Counselors can connect job seekers to job training and programs to build academic skills. You do not have to be a student or alumi of JWCC. 
 

Illinois WorkNet

An online resource to assist job seekers with resume building, training opportunities. Click here to access the complete Illinois workNet website.
 

Trouble landing a steady job? Current job not paying the bills?

 
The Work Ready Toolbox helps job seekers connect to videos, tips and mini-lessons to build the skills expected in today's workplace. Definitions of the skills are located in each area of the toolbox. The resources for specific skills are also included with more to be added in the future as they become available. (Click underlined areas for link to a specific skill building resource.)
 
 

Pre-Employment: Tools needed to apply for a job and skills to show during an interview.

 

Foundational: Skills employees need when they start a new job.

 

High Performance: Skills an employee can develop on the job that lead to career success.