The Frontline Focus Training Institute (FFTI) provides professional development opportunities to help workforce professionals build their capacity to better meet the employment needs of disadvantaged job seekers, low-income workers and employers. Through the delivery of our hands-on interactive trainings and workshops, we aim to:
- Develop the skills, key competencies and knowledge of frontline workforce development providers in order to increase job effectiveness.
- Decrease burnout and stimulate career growth within the workforce development field.
- Create an environment that fosters collaboration and networking among job developers.
- Establish “job development” as a professional field of work.
This year we will enter into a partnership with St. Augustine College’s Institute for Workforce Education. This partnership will allow us to double the number of courses we offer and institute a track system that allows for increased flexibility, special price discounts and the option to obtain certification.
To meet our goal of providing professional training and resources to increase the capacity of workforce development providers to deliver high quality services to disadvantaged job seekers, low-income workers and employers in order to improve employment outcomes, CJC will work to achieve the following outcomes:
Offer 12 Job Developer Track Trainings in the following areas:
- Job Developer Orientation
- Selling Skills & Strategies
- Becoming an Industry Insider
- Pitch Clinic
- Reducing Turnover: Becoming a Retention Agent
Offer five Leadership Track Trainings in the following areas:
- Learning to Lead
- Supervisor Communication Skills
- Performance Management
- Motivating Employees to be Their Best
- Conflict Management
Offer 14 Elective Courses in the following areas:
- Cultural Competency
- Intro to the Workforce Development System
- Intro to the Workforce Investment Act
- From Records to Re-Entry: Working with Ex Offenders
- Job Seekers with Disabilities
- Best Practices in Working with Youth
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Handling Change & Upheaval
- Juggling Multiple Priorities
Expand FFTI’s Customized Training Opportunities in the Midwest
- Explore the interest and feasibility of conducting trainings throughout the Midwest region (as demand applies)
- Explore opportunities to provide customized trainings for government entities (e.g. IDOC vendors, CHA ServiceWorks contractors, FSS), community based organizations and other service provider entities.
- Provide customized training to CJC’s target communities around Illinois as warranted.
- Respond to local, regional, and national conference presentation requests as schedule allows.
Host Frontline Workforce Association activities including:
- Bi-monthly informational meetings on timely topics of interest and “Happy Hour” events for networking and recognition.
- Cultivate a more robust steering committee to help plan and execute bi-monthly and quarterly meetings.
Publish the Frontline Focus Flyer quarterly
