The MicroTrain Blog

Starting July 1, 2013, Matt Weis, MicroTrain’s Director of Workforce Development, will be serving as the Chicago Jobs Council’s (CJC) newest board member. Voted in by members, Matt has over 8 years of workforce development experience in both public and private sectors. He brings his valuable experience and knowledge in the areas of workforce development programming, program implementation, and funding regulation to the CJC.

Matt said Tuesday, “I’m honored to serve on the CJC board with so many extraordinary community leaders”.

Chicago Jobs Council is a coalition of community-based training organizations, advocacy groups, businesses and individuals working to ensure access to employment and career advancement opportunities for people living in poverty.

Since 1981, CJC’s membership has grown to include over 100 organizations and individuals. Through collaboration, advocacy, applied research, and capacity building, they work with their members to influence the development and reform of public policies and programs designed to move people into the workforce.

Andrés Moreno, Communications Coordinator for CJC, said, “Matt has been involved with us for many years. He is an engaged partner, has been instrumental in our advocacy work, and is a good friend to CJC. We’re excited to have him serve on our Board of Directors.”

MicroTrain is the recognized leader in Information Technology, Project Management and Office Skills training throughout the Chicago-land area and has been so for the past 13 years. Since 2007, MicroTrain has provided technical training and employment-focused services to over 2,500 job seekers. Most recently MicroTrain has partnered with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership to begin Chicago TechWorks, the newest sector center in Cook County focused on the IT sector.

Matt can be reached at mweis@microtrain.net.

We want to tell you about Christian Cicirale, a charming young man who came to us in September 2012. After eight years at an automobile rental company, Christian worked his way up to branch manager, only to be laid off a year and a half ago. He applied for unemployment and started looking for a new job. Christian hadn't been job hunting in eight years, so even though he thought he was doing everything right, he wasn't finding many jobs that interested him or getting many positive responses from employers. Christian realized he needed help.

He shopped around and chose MicroTrain because we offered job search and placement assistance as well as career services classes, like resume and LinkedIn workshops. He added technical skills and certifications to his resume by taking classes at MicroTrain, but Christian says the job search assistance and tools he developed were most valuable.

In January of 2013, one year after his lay-off, Christian landed a great job at a college admissions office. He says the job isn’t strictly in the IT field, but he couldn’t be happier. Christian credits everything he learned at MicroTrain with helping him get the job.

“I love MicroTrain and all the people there who helped me so much. I would work there but I have a job”, said Christian. His MicroTrain program manager said that it was a pleasure to work with Christian and his positive attitude and perseverance were the keys to his success.

Christian recently underwent treatment and physical rehabilitation for medical issues with his back. Fortunately he’ll be as good as new in no time, due in no small part to the exceptional support of his employer. Christian is very grateful for all the help MicroTrain staff has given him and credits their patience and knowledgeable encouragement with giving him the tools and confidence to get back to a job he loves.