In response to the mass layoffs at Maytag/Whirlpool and Technicolor, Man-Tra-Con worked with the Transition Team and community partners to host two College Opportunity Fairs. The events were designed for employees and their families as a first step in planning for their futures.  Many employees qualified for training benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistant Act. The College Opportunity Fair was designed to show their best education and training options.

9-23-06  Maytag/Whirlpool College Opportunity Fair, Herrin

Herrin Middle School saw hundreds Maytag/Whirlpool employees, spouses, guests and children. Approximately 400 individuals drove through flooding, ran through rain storms and pushed through wind gusts to meet with college representatives about their futures.

Man-Tra-Con interns greeted attendees with a blue MTC bag filled with Transitions newsletters, checklists, ink pens, fliers and all of the tools needed to gather all of the necessary information from the event.
 
SIU Carbondale Psychology Department and Man-Tra-Con volunteers hosted interest surveys in the Computer Lab for the high percentage of individuals still unsure of which program of study to commit to attending. They utilized Illinois WorkNet, Illinois Career Information System (CIS) Interest Survey and several other resources to develop a strategy for success. Across the hall, Dr. Pat Rottinghaus and Chuck Hees from SIU Carbondale Psychology Department hosted mini-workshops at :10 and :40 after each hour. These workshops offered transition tips but quickly evolved into question and answer sessions. The feedback from Maytag/Whirlpool employees that attended these sessions was overwhelming! These sessions were instrumental in relieving years of built-up fear and providing hope and confidence in moving forward.
 
SIU Carbondale, John A. Logan College, Kaskaskia, Southeastern Illinois College, Shawnee Community College, Mid-Continent College, Man-Tra-Con, GED/Adult Ed, SICCM and Franklin/Williamson ROE each had a table filled with catalogs, brochures, fliers, applications, and handouts. One college indicated they had over 45 individuals enroll during this event.
 
Complimentary hot dogs, chips, popcorn and sodas were provided.  
 
John A. Logan College and Child Care Resource and Referral coordinated movies, face painting, foam painting, fall crafts and other activities for the children. A huge "Thank You" to principal Robinson for use of his facilities during this event!

3-17-07  TUMS College Opportunity Fair, Pinckneyville

The Technicolor College Opportunity Fair was another great success, with 137 Technicolor employees in attendance including 23 spouses and several children. The feedback received was extremely positive!
 
Ten colleges/programs participated in the COF including: Southern Illinois University, John A Logan College, Rend Lake College, Beck College, McKendree College, Kaskaskia College, Belleville Barber College, Adult Education/Literacy Programs, Vatterott College, SICCM and Man-Tra-Con/One-Stop Business & Employment Center. A total of 49 tables were hosted by various programs within these learning institutions.
 
In addition, Rend Lake College hosted a Children’s Activities room which was instrumental in allowing Technicolor employees and their spouses to freely participate at their leisure. SIU-C Psychology Department offered Tips for Transitions workshops that were deemed helpful by everyone that attended per the exit surveys. Larry Zucksworth and a team from MetLife hosted Family Finance & Budgeting workshops that were heavily attended and extremely well-received by everyone in attendance.
 
Approximately 35% of Technicolor workers going through layoff were in attendance.
 
Principal Green and the staff at Pinckneyville High School donated their school, time, staff and supplies for this event.  
 
There were free giveaways sponsored by the above colleges and Man-Tra-Con. Technicolor provided complimentary hot dogs, chips and soda which were greatly appreciated by all.