Funding is available for laid-off workers
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Richard Cummings and Tom Magulski of Titan Incorporated, a custom engineering company out of Racine, speak to Mike Hanley, a former GM employee, about employment opportunities at their company while at a job fair that primarily targeted displaced GM, Lear, LSI and Gilman workers. The job fair was held at the Rock County Job Center in Janesville, Wis.
JANESVILLE — Thanks to federal and state funding for displaced workers, JoLene West of Janesville is three weeks away from opening a new chapter in her life.
West, who was laid off in June after nine years at LSI, soon will start class work in the Certified Nursing Assistant program at Blackhawk Technical College.
She says it's "the bottom of the barrel" in the nursing field, but it's an entree that she's thrilled to have after her employer laid off 132 employees when its primary customer, General Motors, slashed production in Janesville.
West, who hopes to do her clinicals later this year and see where the health care field leads her, isn't alone in her search for a new career.
GM triggered the area's layoffs when it said it would cut 852 jobs because of a dwindling market for the full-size sport utility vehicles built here. Lear Corp. and United Industries in Beloit, both GM suppliers, laid off 336 and 109 workers, respectively.
"There are a lot of people looking for work right now," said Shannon Moe, manager of the Rock County Job Center in Janesville, which usually sees about 300 people a day but this summer has been averaging 400 to 450 daily visitors.
"All they need to do is walk in the door, say they're dislocated and that they need some help."
But they should do it sooner rather than later, Moe and others say. Through the U.S. Department of Labor and Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, money is available to help workers who have been displaced through no fault of their own.
Laid-off workers are generally eligible for state unemployment compensation, which runs 26 to 52 weeks, depending upon how much money a worker draws each week. Laid-off GM union workers, however, have negotiated for supplemental pay from the company that extends their benefits much longer than those of Lear or LSI workers.
Funding and programs are available to help dislocated workers with career counseling, skills assessment, developing a re-employment plan, job search assistance and placement, workshops and job training, Moe said.
Just last week, the state applied for a $3.8 million federal grant to further aid dislocated workers.
The Department of Labor recently denied a petition filed on behalf of LSI workers for certification into the department's Trade Adjustment Allowance program, which would extend unemployment and training benefits for up to 130 weeks.
The department said workers at LSI, which sequences parts into the GM plant, were ineligible because they don't make a product.
A petition on behalf of GM workers likely will be filed in September, but its likelihood of certification is uncertain because the TAA program focuses on jobs lost to foreign competition. Industry observers have said the GM job losses are more the result of a struggling domestic economy and high gas prices than imports.
Moe said the biggest impact for workers whose companies aren't TAA certified will be from the loss of extended unemployment compensation, not the loss of training funds.
Most of the training programs that the job center funds don't extend to 130 weeks, she said.
"We have various pots of money, and we'll spend what people need," she said. "We won't set anyone up for failure. We'll work with them, assess what's best for them and then go from there.
"Maybe they need an eight-week program, and we can save some money to help someone else who might need an 18-month program. It's all customized."
Moe said that dislocated workers who are not taking advantage of the job center are throwing opportunities away.
West, the laid-off LSI worker, agreed.
She's had countless conversations with other laid-off workers who are amazed to learn that her 10-week BTC program, which will cost more that $1,000, is not costing her a thing.
"A lot of people have heard that we won't get TAA benefits and just assume that means there's no chance for them to go back to school," said West, who is getting about $300 a week in state unemployment compensation.
"That's not true at all. I tell people, ‘Don't wait. Do what you can as soon as you can because the programs and jobs are going to fill up fast.'"
Roberta Gassman, secretary of the Department of Workforce Development, said the state's dislocated worker program served almost 13,000 workers last year.
Of those who completed the program, 85 percent found new jobs, she said, adding that more than 90 percent of those who found jobs remain employed.
"We've been very busy the last few weeks," said the job center's Moe. "We're prepared for people who are upset about losing a job, people who are upset that they can't get an appointment for a week or two.
"But people have been extremely understanding, and success for us is if we can help them find work and never see them again."
Aug 6, 2008 at 9:33 p.m.
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Jo, I can't believe you appologized to the lo lifes that posted their retarded comments on here! Obviously you were taken out of context, and I agree with all of your supporters,these people are just envious of you because you have the mind set to do something with your life. These morons only want to find flaws and faults with others because in their sick minds it makes them feel smart and makes their pathetic useless lives much better. Reach for the stars girl and make yourself (and us) proud! Love ya ~Sis in Florida
Oh, by the way Mr. Leute, you really should have consulted with Mrs. West on her use of the word "Barrel" and made the suggestion to revise it to "Ladder", but then again if you had we wouldn't have all of this hate and discontent aimed towords your interviewee, then again, "what kind of fun would that be"? Am I Right or did you seriosly just "miss" the error of her comment? Either way it doesn't make you look very good.
Aug 6, 2008 at 12:13 a.m.
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to janesville angel:why are you apologizing to these people? you need not explain yourself to no one. i was a vendor at lsi for about 4 months, and i also would like to know where they were playing cards at.just go to your cna program, and never mind what anyone says to you or about you.good luck to you.
Aug 5, 2008 at 10:57 p.m.
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Jolene is either guilty of being a complete snob or not knowing how to choose her words wisely. When you are quoted as saying you are working towards a job in nursing that is "bottom of the barrel" in the field you should expect some eye brows to be raised.
Aug 5, 2008 at 8:17 p.m.
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For those of you who are rude about what Jolene said then you should sit back and think about how you would have done the interview. Jolene is going to be making a difference not only in her life but the ones that she will be working for. People blow things out of context all the time but after some time they feel bad for what they have said. Jolene is a hard working person and people should give credit to her for going back to school and doing something that she has always wanted to do. It is never to late to do the things that you really want to do by going back to school. I believe that by going back to school she is showing herself that she can do anything that she puts her mind to. Good luck Jolene and all of the people who love and care about you are behind you in your choice of going back to school. Hey if I can do it so can you. For those of you that were
taken back by the comment "the bottom of the barrel" Jolene meant that starting out as a CNA is a good way to see if the medcial field is the right place for anyone who feels that is what they want to do.
Aug 5, 2008 at 5:58 p.m.
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Hey people, stop making rude comments about a person who is trying to better herself. When she said bottom of the barrel, I am sure she meant starting at the bottom, (our dear old editors at the Gazette should have corrected that). Jolene is a very nice and personable person and will make a wonderful CNA and that is just a stepping stone to go on to better and bigger things. She has faced alot of tragedy in her life and people need to show her some respect. We love you, Jo! Keep up the good work. Love you, Aunt Karen.
Aug 5, 2008 at 1:44 p.m.
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I want to say I am sorry if I offended anyone by my comment bottom of the barrel. I did not mean any disrespect to anyone. The CNA program is the bottom level program of the nursing program. I have wanted to do this for a long time and I am very happy to be doing so. I am also sorry if I came across as a snob because iI am definitely not and anyone who know me knows that.
Aug 5, 2008 at 8:50 a.m.
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Perhaps a better saying would have been "starting at the bottom of the ladder" not the bottom of the barrel.
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I have a good friend who is a CNA and she busts her butt everyday giving care and compassion to her patients. She takes on all sorts of duties, but the hardest part for her is not the long hours of some really nasty work at times , but rather losing not just a patient but a friend
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I don't think I could take on that kind of job for as long as she has( over 18 years). I think all CNAs deserve more credit than they get. It is certainly a much harder job than working in most other fields not only physically, but mentally as well.
Aug 5, 2008 at 7:54 a.m.
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"West, who hopes to do her clinicals later this year....."
My daughter is starting the CNA program at Blackhawk in a few weeks and she is doing her clinicals on Fridays.
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My brother is in the hospital (in Milwaukeee) and the CNA's there work there butts off and have wonderful work ethic. Ms West you do come off as a snob in the interview, but maybe it is the way the reporter worded it.
Aug 4, 2008 at 11:01 p.m.
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I think Ms. West’s comments are being taking out of context or at the very least being over evaluated and the personal attacks are childish. I don’t know the women, but this blog is no place for people’s opinions of her while she worked at LSI. In addition, it is obvious that “bottom of the barrel” can mean many things. For example, it is one of the lowest paid medical positions. In addition, CMA’s and RN’s must complete a CNA course prior to continuing forward. Most people in the medical field, especially those who have worked in nursing homes, will admittedly say CNA work is tough. It is certainly one of the toughest medical jobs in terms of physical work and direct contact with the patients. I think that is what bottom of the barrel means. It doesn’t mean the job isn’t deserving of respect, irrelevant, or any less important than any other medical jobs. If she felt the job unworthy of herself, then why would she go to school for it? Let’s be real here people and stop looking for ways to cut people down. First off she’s smart for taking advantage of school. Secondly, she is doing a job that requires compassion, which is something some particular people on these blogs lack.
Aug 4, 2008 at 10:23 p.m.
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Define: the bottom of the barrel: "the worst or least able members of a particular group."
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That was an offensive comment to the hard working, under paid, and under appreciated folks who take care of those who can't fend for themselves.
Aug 4, 2008 at 10:22 p.m.
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Well I for one hope she is a better CNA than a forklift driver...Caused more problems in that place than anyone...Nice to see she really did pull the wool over some peoples eyes around there...LOL...Won't miss her!
Aug 4, 2008 at 9:27 p.m.
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Ms. West is an outgoing person and she is wanting to help people who need help. By her going to school is showing that becoming a CNA is a good thing not just for her but for the people that she will be helping. Of you don't know her then you should just keep your mouth shut all together. Jo is a kind and caring person to every one around her. YOU GO GIRL AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE CNA position. By saying "the bottom of the barrel" I know that you are saying thatis the best place to start in the medical field. Hey if you had a Villa in France why didn't you tell me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aug 4, 2008 at 9:24 p.m.
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Thanks everyone for your support. I hope everyone can find a job or career that gives them happiness and not misery.
Aug 4, 2008 at 9:01 p.m.
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I've worked with Jo and didn't find her a snob at all. I worked several weeks next to her and I don't remember either of us having cards. Believe it or not many of us worked very hard at LSI
Aug 4, 2008 at 7:53 p.m.
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I agree with the comments here. I was always taught that all jobs are dignified, but I would go further and say that working with the elderly and the disabled is one of the most respectable jobs you can have. I do wish it would pay better, especially as it is quite physically taxing, and to give Jolene credit, I think that's what she really meant to say. Odd that the people who are most responsible for touching -- that is actually caring for the patient -- get the least amount of money. The less you touch the patient, the more you're paid. Tells you about our priorities as a country, doesn't it?
Aug 4, 2008 at 7:46 p.m.
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JoLene You will feel so great about yourself once you've reached goals on your own accord. Great Job again. I too was laid off from my job years ago and went to college and worked my way up though the ranks to the senior level of my field.
Aug 4, 2008 at 7:13 p.m.
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Go Jolene!!!! Wow i never knew we had so much time to play cards. Just ignore the ignorant comments on here and consider the source! It always takes just one person to misunderstand something to turn it into an argument!
Aug 4, 2008 at 6:55 p.m.
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Thanks jvldude
Aug 4, 2008 at 6:53 p.m.
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Ok so obviously villajanesville knows me. If you do then you know I am anything but SCARED! I don't think scared people give their name when being interviewed or call the radio. Maybe your just jealous because I'm moving onto better things and your not. Also when I said bottom of the barrel I meant that i will have to start at the bottom and work my way up. Which is something I am more than happy to do.
Aug 4, 2008 at 6:51 p.m.
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I agree the Jobcenter personal are kind of useless
Aug 4, 2008 at 6:50 p.m.
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I give her credit for starting someplace and trying to work her way up. I don't think she is snobbish. I think she has goals and realizes that she will have to work hard.
Aug 4, 2008 at 12:09 p.m.
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In my opinion, if JoLene West considers being a CNA a "bottom of the barrel" job, then she should quit and do something else *immediately*. The elderly and disabled that will be relying on her care deserve someone who actually cares about the job and takes pride in their work - not just showing up for the paycheck and insurance.
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