LTD Commodities has been working with the Lake County Job Center to better prepare potential employees for work in the company’s inbound call center. LTD Commodities is a distributor of a wide variety of merchandise - from housewares and gifts to toys and apparel - via on-line and telephone catalog sales. The company employs 2,070 with 1,047 based in Lake County.

In response to the business needs identified by LTD Commodities, the Lake County Job Center created a program called "Career Fast Track" to empower potential employees with the business tools necessary to be successful in a company setting. The program stresses the importance of "intangibles" such as having a good work ethic, being punctual and reliable, etc. The three-day program is offered on a weekly basis. Once these individuals have completed the training, they are in a better position to interview for jobs with LTD Commodities and other local companies. Regardless of where the employee finds work, the program is adding to the quality of Lake County’s workforce.

Mike Aponte, Human Resources Manager for LTD, says "The Job Center is to be commended for identifying the need, implementing a program, and providing us with space to conduct interviews. This made a very favorable impression on us. We found the staff to be a cut above other Job Centers we’ve encountered in the past in other areas. They were very helpful and hands-on. Working with them has been a refreshing experience."

For Northpointe Resources, the Job Center of Lake County is a trusted source for advice on human resources issues. Northpointe Resources is a non-profit organization located in Zion that provides employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Staff members have attended many of the informational seminars hosted by the Job Center, including those on such topics as the Health Insurance Portability Assurance Act (HIPAA), Workers Compensation, and Auditing Human Resource Files.

Julie Piek, Human Resources Coordinator for Northpointe Resources, says that the seminars and the interaction they provide with other businesses have been invaluable in helping her get to know Lake County. “The workshops have had a tremendous impact on my own personal level of success and have enabled me to provide my supervisors with accurate information.”

Northpointe Resources has also made a number of hires over the years through the Job Center and its Illinois Skills Match (ISM) database. Their ability to source employees from the database illustrates the diversity of the individuals registered in ISM. Northpointe has been able to locate candidates for their management positions, which require specific expertise in dealing with a population with disabilities.

Northpointe has a history of success with the Job Center – a tradition they intend to continue in the future.

Smurfit-Stone in North Chicago is a producer of corrugated shipping containers. The company has been a regular client of the Job Center for years, both in terms of recruitment assistance, as well as participating in the on-going seminar series hosted by the Job Center.

Richard Kelman, Human Resources Manager, says of the seminars, “I have found that many of the topics are very timely and right on target relative to my immediate needs. I have also found benefit from those seminars that are seemingly not so poignant. The information I gather constitutes one more ‘quiver in my arsenal’ and I’m able to draw from it when I need an idea. I have also found the seminars to be a great networking opportunity and I learn a lot from the other companies in attendance.”