Tom Spears Email & Phone Number

Coordinator for the Hire Education Highway Construction Careers Program. This program is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation to expand the number of people in historically underrepresented populations who enter a highway construction career. We prepare individuals for the local construction trades apprenticeship programs. This is an intensive program that addresses skills necessary for acceptance into a highway construction career: math for the trades, job readiness and technical skills coursework. Individuals have an opportunity to be placed in a career with high wage earning potential.

Served as a Field Representative for the Member Assistance Program. Responsible for the Central Illinois area and a member of the Illinois Rapid Response Unit. Provided workshops and services to dislocated workers. Responsible for the Peer Outreach Program. Hired and trained Peer Outreach Counselors to assist dislocated workers affected by mass layoffs and plant closings. These Peer Counselors provided services to thousands of workers affected by job loss. Some of the larger events were Firestone, Decatur, IL; Maytag, Galesburg, IL; Yellow Book, Effingham, IL and Granite City Steel, Granite City, IL. Represented organized labor in local construction trades monthly meetings, central labor council meetings, and workforce investment area meetings.

Training Coordinator for the Illinios Valley Economic Development Corporation. Responsible for the Job Training Partnership Act Title 3, dislocated worker funding. Provided educational and on the job training services to dislocated workers who were seeking education and training for a new career. Responsible for Title 2B Summer Youth Program in Macoupin and Montgomery Counties. Provided summer work opportunities to youth ages 16-24, placing individuals at various work sites and monitoring their work experience.

Litchfield, Il

Provided union representation for 350 employees, including contract negotiations and grievance procedures. Provided representation in all Safety aspects of the production process.

Certificate Program, Career Specialist

Bachelor'S Degree, Education