Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
NEWS & INFORMATION
Volume 8, Issue 2
February, 2008
GREATER EFFINGHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
CHAMBER SEMINARS TO BE OFFERED IN 2008
The positive response to a recent survey conducted by the Chamber seeking input on education and training topics to be offered this year will result in a full complement of seminars and workshops that will help improve business skills, enhance customer service and develop a quality workforce - all vital to the success and survival of your business.
Training will range from single half-day and full-day programs on topics such as computer software, CPR/First Aid, human resources, legal issues, employee retention and motivation, to multi-session presentations such as the HR Generalist Series, customer service, organizational leadership and performance management. Information will be provided on starting a small business and GIS in business, healthcare and industry.
A regional small business forum will feature speakers from the Internal Revenue Service, Illinois Department of Revenue and Social Security Administration providing information on products and services available to your business.
Continuing education credits and employment training funds will be available for several of the programs offered.
T
raining programs will kick off in April with Chamber-sponsored computer classes at the Kluthe Center and the HR Generalist Program, presented by Bushue Human Resources.
Watch your chamber mailings and email for more information and registration details for these training programs.
LOCAL TRAINING & EVENTS CALENDAR
Investment in Excellence -
This 4-day training program will be held April 8, 9, 29 & 30 at the Effingham Country Club. The program provides individuals and businesses with the tools necessary to create change. The sessions provide easy-to-understand and easy-to-implement tools to change attitudes and beliefs, which immediately reflect in greater results and higher performance.
For more information, contact Sharon Robb at Siemer Milling Company, 217-857-2224.
Transform Your Late Shift Work Environment -
Free presentation on Thursday, March 13, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Fairfield Inn & Suites, 1111 N. Henrietta.
The Illinois Manufacturing & Extension Center will help employers improve efficiencies, reduce injuries and improve morale by ensuring the safety and health of late shift workers. IMEC’s program will focus on nighttime sanitation and maintenance hazards, including lockout/tagout and confined space hazards. In addition, IMEC will provide information to help employers reduce waste and cut costs by creating a lean, clean and safe operating environment.
To register, contact Lori Amerman by March 10 at 618-453-3829.
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F.Y. I. - FROM THE CHAMBER
The Chamber has received a new shipment of the combined state and federal employment poster for the convenience of our members. The posters are laminated and cost $35 each. The Chamber can also obtain the posters in Spanish, if needed. You can check with the Chamber office staff to determine if your existing posters have the most recent posting requirements.
We also have a limited supply of the required No Smoking Signs. The law requires that signs must be posted at every entrance; this means any doorway used as ingress from the outdoors or egress to the outdoors. Employers are reminded that fines can be assessed for not displaying the proper signage.
Applications are now available for the Chamber Community Scholarship Program. $1,500 scholarships will be awarded in June to graduating high school seniors and adults continuing their education. The application can be downloaded from the Chamber’s website: www.effinghamchamber.org.
Area high school students will be job shadowing in local businesses in March. If you are asked to mentor a student for a day, please be receptive to this opportunity to showcase the many great job opportunities available in Effingham County.
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WHAT CAN CROSSROADS WORKFORCE CENTERS DO FOR YOU?
The Crossroads Workforce Centers are located throughout the southeastern Illinois region. We have four major centers in Mattoon, Effingham, Olney, and Centralia. Our centers are designed to target job seekers and businesses and help them with their workforce needs. We have established partner relationships with many different agencies, organizations, and educational institutions in order to achieve our goals.
For job seekers our centers provide a plethora of services. Computers are available for resume writing, testing, career exploration, and educational purposes. Resume materials and assistance are available to job seekers so they can provide a professional up- to- date description of their skills to employers. The centers are equipped with job boards that are filled with area openings and a number of new services that help with career exploration. Examples of these new services are Bulzi Touch Inspire ™ a touch screen program that helps an individual thoroughly explore careers, Microsoft Unlimited Potential ™, a free program from Microsoft that helps individuals utilize and learn Microsoft Suite programs, and ILWorknet ™, and online resource service that has a variety of employment, general services, and business information available.
Businesses are an important client of the Crossroads Workforce Centers. We have two Business Service Representatives to help businesses address their workforce needs. Our centers also provide free job postings, application drop-off, and interview facilities for employers looking to hire new employees. Businesses can locate Labor Market Information and labor trends through our services. The Crossroads Workforce Centers are offering new fee for services to our business and non-profit community. We have GSI software, mobile computer labs, computer labs, and video conferencing equipment all available for fee.
The Crossroads Workforce Centers are dedicated to providing a skilled workforce and support to our southeastern Illinois businesses. Please contact Andrea Applegate at 217-235-2942 ext. 8224 with any questions.
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HOW MUCH IS TURNOVER COSTING YOUR ORGANIZATION?
We all know that retaining employees is more important than ever. But have you ever actually calculated how much turnover costs? Some organizations suffer double and even triple digit turnover rates and but ownership does not know how to implement retention strategies. If owners are able to attach a dollar amount to their turnover rate, someone will pay attention. If they have never calculated the cost of replacing employees for a particular position, Kepner-Tregoe Inc. and the Saratoga Institute offers the following formula to use:
First, select a job function with high turnover. Calculate the full cost of that function by entering the average wage for that position on Line 1 and then multiplying it by 130% to account for benefits cost. Next, multiply the total wage by 25%. This cost per employee may then by multiplied by the number of ex-employees on Line 6 to arrive at the total cost of turnover in this particular position.
Do you think if you approach leadership with a $100,000 figure, someone would listen? Some degree of turnover is to be expected in any business. However, an excessively high turnover rate could be indicative of poor management, inadequate training, unfair pay systems, lack of communication and inconsistent policies, which may lead to unnecessary costs. Turnover is a good indication of the level of morale within an organization, as employees who are satisfied with their jobs usually will not leave the company.
Excessive turnover hurts your organization’s bottom line. It is up to management to find the reasons for excessive turnover and implement policies to correct the problem. Use your calculations to help support reasons to implement employee-retention strategies.
