You may have a job that pays the bills, but still feel like something is missing. You go to work, you come home, and each week looks the same. You might think, “Is this it for me?” The truth is that many people start with “just a job,” then slowly build a real career path […]
WORKFORCE WIRE – Rebuild Stronger: Help for Businesses Affected by Layoffs
When a layoff hits, it feels like trying to steer during a tire blowout. You are balancing customers, cash flow, and a rattled team, while worrying about compliance and community impact. The good news is that you are not alone. Illinois has practical programs to stabilize operations, protect remaining jobs, and help you rebuild with […]
Your Quad Cities Workforce Office
Your Local Workforce Office Many business owners hear terms like “workforce development” and “American Job Center” and assume they are broad public programs that matter more to job seekers than to businesses. In reality, they matter a great deal to businesses. A local workforce office can be a practical partner for hiring, training, and workforce […]
Community Resources Fair Coming to Rock Island on May 12, 2026
Looking for local support, services, or new opportunities in the Quad Cities? The Community Resources Fair will bring together local organizations, agencies, and service providers for a free public event on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the YWCA, 513 17th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201. The event is open […]
CAREER COMPASS – From Job Offer To First Day
From Job Offer To First Day You did it. You got a job offer. For a moment you feel happy and proud. Then the questions start to rush in. Is the pay fair? What do these benefits really mean? What should you do on your first day so you do not feel lost? You are […]
Workforce Development Explained
Learn what workforce development is, why it matters to the economy.
WORKFORCE WIRE – Don’t Let Paperwork Stop You: AJC Simplifies the Process
Paperwork should not keep a good business from growing. If you have paused a hire, delayed training, or skipped a funding opportunity because the forms felt confusing, you are not alone. The American Job Center in Rock Island exists to take that weight off your plate so you can do what you do best, which […]
CAREER COMPASS – Interview Like A Pro
Many job seekers say the interview is the hardest part of the whole process. You can fill out forms and send resumes on your own time. But when it is time to sit across from someone on a screen or in a room and answer questions, it can feel like a test you are not […]
WORKFORCE WIRE – The Cost of a Bad Hire – and How We Help You Avoid It
A bad hire rarely shows up as a single line on a profit and loss statement. It appears as missed deadlines, rework, customer complaints, and a team that spends more time fixing problems than creating value. In a labor market where Illinois posted a 4.8 percent unemployment rate in May 2025, every seat on your […]
Workforce Development Board Meeting Minutes for Wednesday November 19th, 2025
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF ROCK ISLAND, HENRY AND MERCER COUNTIES,NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONBoard MeetingMinutes8:30 a. m. – 9:30 a. m., Wednesday, November 19, 2025In-Person Present: Al Zwilling, Steve Walzer, Tim Foster, Liz Hogan-Wells, Meg Pfoutz, Abbey Cox, Teresa Cherry, Mark Evans, Christine Caves, and Richard Nagle Call to Order: Meeting was called to order at 8:31 AM […]