Governor Blagojevich Launches Partnership with CareerBuilder.com to Further Assist Illinois Workers

CHICAGO - In response to a national economic downturn that is having troubling effects on people across the state, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today launched a new partnership to help Illinois residents and businesses access additional career planning, training and job placement services. This new partnership between Illinois workNet, the state's newly-transformed workforce development system, and CareerBuilder.com will now provide real-time access to job openings in high-growth industries.

High-growth industries will provide the majority of Illinois' job creation in the 21st century and tend to offer good salaries and benefits. Based on research completed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Southern Illinois University and CareerBuilder.com, Illinois' four leading high-growth industries are: Healthcare, Information Technology, Transportation, Distribution and Logistics and Manufacturing.

"I know that the national economic slowdown continues to challenge Illinois' workers.  The state of Illinois is doing our part to make sure Illinois workers have the resources needed to compete in today's marketplace. The Illinois workNet Portal, and our new partnership with CareerBuilder.com, provide critical tools and resources for Illinois job seekers," Governor Blagojevich said.

The Illinois workNet™ Portal and Program is providing individuals, businesses, and workforce professionals in Illinois, a set of useful, high-quality resources aimed at enhancing workforce development in our state. The system integrates physical locations with online resources available through the Illinois workNet portal (www.illinoisworknet.com), which can be accessed at homes, offices and onsite at more than 420 community partners statewide. The CareerBuilder.com partnership is a component of Illinois workNet and a statewide strategy to leverage web-based tools with the Critical Skills Shortage Initiative and Rapid Response Events to increase opportunities for individuals and businesses. 

"CareerBuilder.com is proud to partner with the Governor and the state of Illinois on this innovative public-private partnership. It is our hope that this new tool will promote jobs in high-growth industries and help provide resources needed for individuals looking to move into these careers," said Brent Rasmussen, President of CareerBuilder North America.  "CareerBuilder.com has been headquartered in Illinois since 2002 and we attribute much of our own success to the incredible employees that we have been able to hire in the state." 

Illinois workNet allows individuals to search for jobs that match their interests and skills, as well as find education and training programs. Illinois workNet also provides assistance with resume writing and interview preparation. In addition, job seekers can obtain wage and salary data, labor market trends, health insurance overviews, and information about unemployment compensation, money management, child care and other supportive services.

"Illinois workNet represents one of the many ways Governor Blagojevich and the State of Illinois are working to help develop, maintain and support a strong, skilled, well-trained workforce," said Jack Lavin, director, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. "We are proud to partner with CareerBuilder.com to expand Illinois workNet's offerings in high-growth industries, helping hardworking Illinoisans who have been affected by industry downturns."

CareerBuilder.com is the nation's largest online job site. Founded in 1995, CareerBuilder.com posts more than 1.6 million jobs from more than 300,000 employers.

Illinois workNet is an initiative of the Illinois Workforce Investment Board and is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). It is made possible through partnerships with community-based organizations and state agencies, including the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and others.

Southern Illinois University is the administrator of the Illinois workNet Portal and Program. This partnership is funded through an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant to Southern Illinois University for implementation of the program.