Southern Illinois Workforce Development Board hosts annual meeting in Benton.

Dec 17, 2024 | News

SIWDB Meeting December 2024

The Southern Illinois Workforce Development Board (SIWDB) held an annual meeting in collaboration with Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission (Greater Egypt) on December 10, 2024, at the Civic Center in Benton, Illinois. At the meeting, SIWDB and Greater Egypt honored local employers, customer successes, staff, and board members for their service to the community. Photos shown at right highlight the event.

Download the SIWDB Annual Report — December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024 (PDF File, 292 KB)

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Board members and guests from Greater Egypt, SIWDB, and Man-Tra-Con network before the meeting.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Board members and guests from Greater Egypt, SIWDB, and Man-Tra-Con network before the meeting.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Board members and guests from Greater Egypt, SIWDB, and Man-Tra-Con network before the meeting.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Benton Mayor Lee Messersmith welcomes attendees to the meeting.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission Executive Director Cary Minnis speaks about Greater Egypt community initiatives and accomplishments for 2024.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission Executive Director Cary Minnis speaks about Greater Egypt community initiatives and accomplishments for 2024.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Greater Egypt Executive Director Cary Minnis presents E.T. Simonds Construction with a Business and Industry Award.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Greater Egypt Executive Director Cary Minnis presents Bill Simonds from E.T. Simonds Construction with a Business and Industry Award.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Bill Simonds from E.T. Simonds Construction receives Business & Industry Award from Greater Egypt.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Greater Egypt Executive Director Cary Minnis presents Perry County Department of Planning and Development Director Jeff Ashauer with a special award for his exceptional work and commitment toward economic development within Southern Illinois.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Perry County Department of Planning and Development Director Jeff Ashauer talks about his most recent economic development projects.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Man-Tra-Con CEO Robyn Russell and SIWDB Board Chair Terance Henry honor members who have served the SIWDB for 5 years or more.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Man-Tra-Con CEO Robyn Russell and SIWDB Board Chair Terance Henry honor members who have served the SIWDB for 5 years or more.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

SIWDB Board Chair Terance Henry announces the new line-up of SIWDB officers for the coming year.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

One-Stop Manager Karla Tabing talks about services available at the American Job Center in Marion, Illinois.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Man-Tra-Con Program Manager Jordan McBride talks about services provided to the community through special grant funding.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Man-Tra-Con Compliance and Performance Manager Stephanie Robinson gives a report on customer performance measures and outcomes.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Man-Tra-Con Employer Services Manager Emily Perks reports on employer contracts and worker training programs.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Man-Tra-Con Employer Services Manager Emily Perks announces the Illinois Workforce Partnership (IWP) Award for Individual Achievement.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Man-Tra-Con Employer Services Manager Emily Perks presents the Illinois Workforce Partnership (IWP) Business Leadership Award to staff from Shawnee Health.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Man-Tra-Con Employer Services Manager Emily Perks presents the Illinois Workforce Partnership (IWP) Business Leadership Award to staff from Shawnee Health.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Man-Tra-Con Employer Services Manager Emily Perks presents the Illinois Workforce Partnership (IWP) Business Leadership Award to staff from Shawnee Health.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Co-founder of D & D Electric Dave Martin explains how both his business and employees benefitted by the Apprenticeship Program.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Apprenticeship Program participant and D & D Electric employee Domarion Nunez talks about his work experience and the benefits of the Apprenticeship Program.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Apprenticeship Program participant Kevin Robinson talks about how the program has helped him develop a lucrative career path with D & D Electric. Kevin has also been named Apprenticeship Ambassador for the 2025 program year.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

D & D Electric Project Manager Justin Roberts raves about the excellent work ethic that both Domarion Nunez and Kevin Robinson have shown throughout the Apprenticeship Program and as full-time employees of D & D Electric.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

SIWDB Board Chair Terance Henry and SIWDB Advisory Member Tyler Young, Jr. honor beloved board member Milton A. Maxwell, who has recently passed. Milton Maxwell had served the SIWDB for 41 years.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

SIWDB Advisory Member Tyler Young, Jr. (left) and SIWDB Board Chair Terance Henry present Mrs. Maxwell with a plaque honoring her husband for 41 years of service to the SIWDB.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

SIWDB Advisory Member Tyler Young, Jr. (left) and SIWDB Board Chair Terance Henry present Mrs. Maxwell with a plaque honoring her husband for 41 years of service to the SIWDB.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Mrs. Maxwell receives a plaque honoring her husband Milton for 41 years of service to the SIWDB.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Prysmian Plant Manager Erik Perks discusses expansion progress at the Du Quoin plant, plus employee programs in the works for employee training, development and retention.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Prysmian Plant Manager Erik Perks discusses expansion progress at the Du Quoin plant, plus employee programs in the works for employee training, development and retention.

Youth Program Coordinator Jo Dene Kern and Career Specialist Justin Dodd welcome students to the ManTraCon table.

Work Experience Program participant Ray Bardo talks about his training journey toward successful employment via a Powerpoint video.