Workforce Developments :: February 2009
In this issue..
- DWD in Partnership With Libraries and Faith-Based Groups to Assist Unemployed Hoosiers
- Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs
- Hot Job found on Indiana Career Connect
- New Unemployment Claims Processing Center
- DWD General Counsel Speaking to Employer Forums
DWD in Partnership With Libraries and Faith-Based Groups to Assist Unemployed Hoosiers.
Hoosiers have always been known for helping out their neighbors in time of need and the partnership between the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) and the State Library is just one more example of neighbors helping neighbors.
DWD will host a training session for any faith-based, community group or library that is interested in helping those out of work apply for unemployment benefits. DWD will also lend 200 surplus state computers to groups that don’t have enough computers to meet the demand in their area. The training will take place on February 25 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Indiana Government Center South Conference Center in Indianapolis.
The State Library will record the training seminar and post the video on their professional development website http://in.webjunction.org/ so that librarians, as well as volunteers, have an opportunity to view the training when it is convenient for them.
This initiative will provide more locations for Hoosiers to file for unemployment benefits online. All initial unemployment filing must be done online. Increasing computer availability and training additional volunteers will reduce the number of errors in the initial application and speed the delivery of benefits. Approved online weekly vouchers are typically paid within two days, while paper vouchers take three weeks to process payment.
“Hoosiers are known to turn to their faith, library, and local groups during times of personal need,” said Teresa Voors, Commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development. “This partnership will assist those local organizations that wish to help people who have lost their job due to the national economy.”
Despite the increased need in services from a year ago, DWD is currently handling 85% of total unemployment claims within seven days and 93% of first-time claims within 21 days. The federal government requests that DWD handle at least 87% of first-time claims within 21 days.
Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs
The third installment of Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs - A listing of the jobs most "in demand" for the state of Indiana. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development is sending the Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs poster to the state's WorkOne Centers, workforce partners, colleges and universities, education partners, and other partners to help publicize the high growth occupations. The listing is also available on the department's web site, www.in.gov/dwd.
What Makes a Job Hot?
These rankings are based on the projected rate of employment growth, the total number of job openings and average wages. Jobs qualifying as a hot job have both high job growth factors based on DWD's 2006–2016 occupational projections, as well as high wages according to data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey of employers.
If you are interested in receiving posters or brochures please contact Workforce Development at 317-233-0221
Hot Job found on Indiana Career Connect
William “Bill” Lloyd of Rising Sun went to WorkOne Lawrenceburg to apply for unemployment benefits and was introduced to Indiana’s official career matching site, IndianaCareerConnect.com.
Utilizing Indiana Career Connect tools and resources, and with the assistance of WorkOne case manager Debbie Cole, Lloyd found a perfect job match at Harrison Concrete when searching for a position as a certified mechanic.
After spending months unsuccessfully applying for jobs on private boards, Lloyd was elated when he found out that he was able to use one job matching program to satisfy all of his needs.
“I really liked how you could job search within 25 miles of where you live,” said Lloyd, who lives in Southeastern Indiana and pulls from a tri-state labor pool.
“We have always found WorkOne to be very helpful,” said Harrison Concrete Human Resources and Safety Director, Sharon Wray. “Typically, we get a better response from WorkOne than we do from other places. They stayed in touch with us throughout the whole process.”
During the creation of his resume and while searching for work, Lloyd found out that he had many other skills associated with his trade that he could use to his benefit.
“As I was building my resume, I kept track of the occupational titles and ‘wow’ - I couldn’t believe all of the skills I had beyond turning a wrench,” he said.
Lloyd’s skills, experience and qualifications landed him a perfect match with the local concrete company that had submitted a job order seeking an experienced diesel mechanic. He is now earning approximately $20 dollars per hour in wages and benefits.
Wray says that Lloyd has been a perfect fit for their company.
“He gets along well with other employees and he is very appreciative to learn our system,” she adds.
The job of diesel mechanic is listed as one of the 2009 Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs in the state of Indiana. The Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs are jobs that are “in demand” now and will be well into the future. These jobs are listed due to high growth and higher than average wages. The full Hot 50 list is posted on the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s website at www.in.gov/dwd.
If you are a jobseeker or employer and would like to benefit from all of the services that are available to you at Indiana Career Connect, log on to the site with the most comprehensive source of Indiana job openings to assist you in finding the best career match for your skills and experience.
New Unemployment Claims Processing Center
A new Department of Workforce Development Unemployment Claims Adjudication Center is opening in Fort Wayne. The center will be located at WorkOne Northeast and will create 50 new adjudicator positions.
The new adjudicators will be state employees who resolve issues and investigate unemployment claim discrepancies across Northern Indiana.
In addition, 50 new adjudicators are being hired for the Indianapolis center.
These new positions will provide an immediate impact on DWD’s ability to process unemployment insurance issues and efficiently deliver benefits to Hoosiers. Currently, DWD pays 93 percent of first-time claims within 21 days, well beyond the federal government’s standard of 87 percent. Despite a doubling of total claims from a year ago, 85 percent of claims are being paid within seven days. Additional adjudicators will help DWD process claims quicker and more efficiently.
Hoosiers interested in applying for these positions should visit Indiana’s new job search Web site, http://www.indianacareerconnect.com/, search keyword “unemployment.” Basic qualifications include: customer service experience, computer proficiency, problem solving skills, and ability to pass a criminal background check.
Full-time positions, including salary and benefits, will average more than $15 per hour and part-time positions will average nearly $11 per hour. All positions will begin paid-training immediately.
When people are hurting we can’t move fast enough. DWD is committed to providing unemployed Hoosiers with the quickest and most efficient service.
DWD General Counsel Speaking to Employer Forums
Department of Workforce Development General Counsel Dustin Stohler is taking to the road to speak to employer forums, human resources groups, local Chambers and others around the state to educate them on the unemployment insurance system and workforce initiatives. Stohler and other unemployment insurance experts from the Department will meet with groups of employers and focus on unemployment insurance related topics.
“Our system works best if employees and employers understand when and why unemployment insurance benefits will be awarded,” said Stohler. “Our hope is that employers will be better equipped to determine whether an employee will be eligible for unemployment benefits at the time of termination. The emphasis will be on how to conduct a separation of employment and present evidence to win an unemployment hearing when an individual has been discharged for cause. If employers adopt the practices we recommend, employees will benefit from a better understanding of what is expected of them, and hopefully better job security.”
The presentation will walk employers through the process of discharging an employee and what policies and practices need to be in place. Stohler will give a step-by-step explanation of how to prepare for and present evidence at an unemployment insurance hearing.
If you represent an employer group that is interested in hosting this presentation, please contact Casey Long at cjlong@dwd.in.gov or (317) 233-5661.
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