Business Services

The American Job Center’s Business Services Team is a collaborative effort among local, state, federal, and community-based organizations. Our mission is to provide responsive customized workforce solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of businesses. We prioritize active listening, flexible service delivery, and timely support to address workforce challenges and opportunities. To find out how we can help your business, call us today at 309-429-6429.

Recruitment & Hiring Solutions

American Job Center offers a range of services to support businesses in recruiting and hiring qualified candidates:

  • Candidate Referrals – Access a talent pipeline of current and former clients trained in relevant field.
  • Recruitment Events - Host Industry-specific hiring events in our on-site conference room, and participate in Virtual Job Fairs, which are state-sponsored and free to employers.
  • Job Description Support – Assistance with developing clear, effective job descriptions.
  • Job Postings – Post openings at no cost through our “Job Leads” digital bulletin distributed weekly.
  • Screening & Referrals – We assist with applicant screening and refer qualified candidates.
  • Facility Use – Our conference room is available at no charge for recruitment and interviews.

Training and Education Solutions

INCUMBENT WORKER TRAINING (IWT)

IWT funding is used to upskill current workers to be more competitive, increase productivity, create new revenue streams, create a backfill for entry-level positions, and increase employee retention rates.

How Does It Work?

  1. For an employer to receive Incumbent Worker Training funds, individual(s) receiving training must be employed.
  2. Employers must provide a minimum of ten percent (10%) in matching contributions.
    • *Wages paid during training can be used as the matching contribution.
    • Match calculation:
      1. 10 % of the cost, for employers with not more than fifty (50) employees.
      2. 25% of the cost, for employers with more than fifty (50) employees, but not more than one hundred (100) employees; or
      3. 50% of the cost, for employers with more than one hundred (100) employees.
  3. American Job Center staff works with the business to create project plan submission to Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING (OJT)

How Does It Work?

OJT’s provide financial assistance towards the extraordinary costs of training new hires who have skills gaps.

  • On-the-Job Training (OJT) is a “hire-first” program. Employer agrees to hire, train, and retain the individual
  • upon successful completion of the training program.
  • Receive up to 50% reimbursement of wages paid during the training period.
  • American Job Center can match qualified applicants with approved job openings.
  • Career Planners conduct on-site visits, including receiving evaluations from Supervisor.
  • Supportive Services are available for participants to off-set costs of training related supplies that are requirements i.e., tools, uniforms, gas mileage, books.
  • Workers can earn and learn. Workers learn the processes, work tasks, tools and methods of a specific job or group of jobs in an actual work setting.

WORK EXPERIENCE (WEX)

How Does It Work?

Under WIOA, a work experience is a planned, structured learning experience that takes place in a workplace for a limited period. Work experiences may be paid or unpaid, as appropriate. A work experience may take place in the private for-profit sector, non-profit sector, or public sector. Work Experience differs from OJT & IWT in that there is no hiring occurring prior to or requirement to hire following the learning experience.

CUSTOMIZED APPRENTICESHIP

How Does It Work?

Workers alternate between classroom and hands-on training. American Job Center staff can guide your business through the process of creating your very own DOL-registered Apprenticeship Program!

Complete the attached form to find out how WIOA funding can help YOUR business.