Our Successes

Career Specialist Tyler Hinds reports on his customer. “Caitlin was homeschooled by her adoptive parents and came to Man-Tra-Con seeking assistance with earning her GED. Caitlin had been working at McDonalds before seeking our services. When she saw her hours drastically reduced due to the pandemic, she decided to apply for training assistance,” Tyler explains.

Career Specialist Jo Dene Kern reports on her customer. “In February 2022, Olivia came to Man-Tra-Con seeking help with getting her GED. Olivia had dropped out of school after completing her Freshman year,” Jo Dene says.

Career Specialist Tamblyn Everett reports on her customer. “Samuel began receiving Man-Tra-Con Youth services in November 2021. As an “Out-of -School Youth” with several barriers, Samuel was determined eligible for our Youth services,” Tamblyn says.

Career Specialist Tamblyn Everett reports on her customer. “In January 2022, when Isabella came to Man-Tra-Con Corporation for assistance, she was determined eligible for WIOA Youth Services. Isabella had dropped out of high school; was basic skills deficient; and lived with her mother, brother, and father, who was a disabled veteran receiving food stamps,” Tamblyn explains. 

Career Specialist Dana Marlow reports on her customer. “Ashleigh, a single mother of four boys, first came to Man-Tra-Con for assistance in August 2019. Ashleigh had worked as a Phlebotomist for Heartland Regional Medical Center in the past. Although she had a job, Ashleigh still struggled to support her family and wanted to train for a better paying position,” Dana explains.

Career Specialist Dana Marlow reports on her customer. “Dustin was 33 years old, married, and a father of 2 children when he first came to Man-Tra-Con for job search assistance in November 2020. He had been unemployed for one year after being “laid-off” from his job at Nasco in Nashville, Illinois, where he worked as a forklift driver,” Dana explains. 

Career Specialist Jorrell Bonner reports on his customer, “David and his family recently moved from Canada to Ashley, Illinois, to run a farm. Since he was homeschooled in another country, his education was not recognized by the United States. David still needed a high school diploma, and was able to start and complete his GED online through Rend Lake College at no cost. He even received financial incentives from Man-Tra-Con every time he went to class or passed an exam,” Jorrell explains.

Career Specialist Jo Dene Kern reports on her customer. “Aubree came to Man-Tra-Con for assistance in August 2020. After dropping out of high school, she had been working full-time as a waitress for a pizza restaurant. She had also been working as a volunteer for the GED Literacy Program at JALC, tutoring students. Aubree was enrolled in the GED program at John A. Logan College (JALC), but needed assistance with reaching her dream career goal—employment in healthcare,” Jo Dene explains.

​Career Specialist Shaun Drue reports on her customer. “When I first met with Johnnie in January 2021, he had been “laid off” from M-Class Mining, LLC, for more than a year. Johnnie had been working on a plan to support himself and his daughter, but was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, which slowed his progress. He came to Man-Tra-Con seeking truck driver training assistance, with a goal to eventually work for Coca Cola Bottling Company,” Shaun explains.

Career Specialist Amy Blocker reports on her customer. “In November 2018, Caroline came to us as a single mother of 2 children. She did not have the skills to obtain a self-sufficient job, she needed training to obtain full-time employment. Caroline was WIOA eligible for training assistance to attend the Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography Certification Program at John A. Logan College (JALC). WIOA funds helped Caroline pay for tuition, books, supplies, child care costs, plus provided reimbursement for her mileage, traveling to and from classes,” Amy explains.