Will Works Podcast

Hosted by Workforce Investment Board of Will County

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the Will Works Podcast, powered by the Workforce Center of Will County. Get ready to hear about all things workforce development in Will County. Your host is Patrick Hall, Employer Relations Coordinator for Joliet Junior College – Workforce Development. To learn more, visit will.works

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August 24, 202625 min

E64: Beyond Job Skills: Creating a Healthy, Resilient Workforce

What does it take to build a workforce where people can truly thrive? In this episode of the Will Works Podcast, Michelle Sebasco, Deputy Director of Academic Partnerships and Continuing Education at Governors State University's School of Extended Learning, explores the vital connection between workforce development and mental health. She discusses why technical skills are only one part of career readiness, the importance of emotional resilience and inclusive workplaces, and how programs such as Jaguar Jumps are supporting neurodivergent learners. Michelle also shares how collaboration among educators, employers, government agencies, and community organizations can create a healthier workforce, a stronger economy, and more resilient communities.

August 6, 202631 min

E63: How the Joliet Chamber Helps Local Businesses Thrive

In this episode, we are joined by Jen Howard, president of the Joliet Chamber of Commerce, and Mike Paone, executive vice president, to explore how the chamber supports businesses and strengthens the wider community. They share their professional journeys, discuss the chamber's evolving role beyond networking, and highlight its work in advocacy, education, business visibility, and leadership development. The conversation also examines current workforce challenges, the importance of connecting employers with educational institutions, and how investments in students and emerging leaders are helping build Joliet's future workforce.

July 1, 202621 min

E62: Growing Will County's Clean Energy Workforce

In this episode of the Will Works Podcast, Paige Kelly and Aidan Rockarts introduce the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program, an initiative designed to help entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits enter and grow within Illinois' expanding clean energy economy. They explain how the program provides individualized business advising, workshops, professional services, industry connections, certification guidance, and support with areas such as marketing, accounting, legal services, and business planning. The conversation also explores the wide range of opportunities available in clean energy—from solar and electric vehicle infrastructure to HVAC, construction, landscaping, and energy efficiency—and highlights the program's commitment to creating equitable pathways for historically underserved communities.

May 23, 202638 min

E61: Apprenticeships Beyond the Trades: Building Modern Careers

Originally recorded during National Apprenticeship Week, this episode explores how modern apprenticeship programs are creating new pathways into meaningful careers across industries like insurance, IT, cybersecurity, and business operations. Discover how apprenticeships can bridge the gap between education and employment through paid, hands-on experience, mentorship, and career development opportunities through conversations with David Jaeger, Program & Operations Lead HR | Office of Apprenticeship at Zurich North America , and Peter Tobin, IT Apprentice. The episode also highlights the growing role apprenticeships play in workforce innovation, the importance of soft skills alongside technical training, and how employers and educators are working together to build the workforce of the future.

May 12, 202627 min

E60: Mental Health at Work: Building Cultures Where People Thrive

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-6a033165-6870-83ea-8fe8-2379f9fc5e40-11" data-turn-id-container= "request-6a033165-6870-83ea-8fe8-2379f9fc5e40-11" data-testid= "conversation-turn-8" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode of the Will Works podcast, we are joined by Teena Mackey, Executive Director of the Will County Community Mental Health 708 Board, for a conversation about the growing importance of mental health in the workplace. Tune in to hear how organizations can move beyond surface-level wellness initiatives to create cultures that genuinely support employee wellbeing. Teena shares insights on recognizing signs of mental health challenges in the workplace, the importance of proactive leadership, the role of education and mental health first aid, and how compassionate workplace cultures can improve both employee wellness and organizational success.

February 13, 202640 min

E59: The Apprenticeship Advantage: Lessons from Germany

In this episode featuring Jaymee Dhein and Myriam Klein, you'll learn how Germany's apprenticeship system actually works and why it's often considered the gold standard for building a skilled workforce. You'll hear how employers, vocational schools, and chambers of commerce work together to train talent through paid, hands-on learning combined with classroom education, and why vocational career paths are treated with the same respect as four-year degrees. You'll also discover how this model supports low youth unemployment, prepares workers for advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies, and encourages employers to invest in long-term workforce development rather than short-term competition. Tune in to gain insights into what the U.S. could borrow from the German approach to strengthen education-to-career pathways and create more sustainable workforce systems.

November 14, 202527 min

E58: Dreams Take Flight: How United Airlines Invests in Its Next Generation of Talent

In this episode, you'll hear how apprenticeships are transforming lives and careers across Illinois—with a spotlight on how United Airlines is using hands-on learning and mentorship to build the next generation of talent. You'll meet a former apprentice who immigrated from Ukraine and, through the i.c.stars program, gained the skills, confidence, and opportunity to become a platform engineering associate at United Airlines. Her story reveals how apprenticeships can change the trajectory of a career and a life—bridging education and opportunity while helping businesses grow their own talent pipelines. It's an inspiring look at what happens when industry, education, and community partners come together to invest in people and their potential.

October 23, 202551 min

E57: Building a Workforce for Everyone: Preparing Workers for a Changing Economy

In this episode we are joined by Julio Rodriguez to explore how his personal journey—from first-generation roots and early challenges to becoming a leader in Illinois workforce development—drives his commitment to opportunity and public service. Julio shares how the power of work and mentorship carried him forward, and dives into how the state's workforce ecosystem is evolving—through bridge programs for ESL learners, to the integration of adult education with career pathways. Julio also digs into major workforce trends like AI's impact, clean-energy job growth, and the rising role of apprenticeships in non-traditional sectors. At its core, this conversation is about resilience, leadership and the belief that everyone deserves a meaningful pathway to work—no matter where they start.

September 18, 202527 min

E56: Opening Doors for Young Talent: How Genesis Works Creates Career Pathways

Jermaine Donaldson, Director of Business Development for Genesys Works, joins the podcast to discuss how the organization equips high school students from underserved communities with job training, professional skills, and paid internships. He shares how Genesys Works bridges the gap between talent and opportunity, helping young people launch meaningful careers and achieve long-term economic independence.

July 14, 202530 min

E55: Building a Stronger Workforce: Lessons from Kraig Kistinger at National Tube Supply

In this episode we sit down with Kraig Kistinger, Director of Human Resources at National Tube Supply Co., to explore what it takes to build and sustain a thriving workforce in today's competitive market. Kraig shares how National Tube Supply invests in people through robust training, innovative tools like VR, and a culture that values authenticity and growth. We discuss practical strategies for recruiting and retaining talent, the power of community partnerships, and Kraig's "three Bs of success" that guide both new hires and seasoned professionals. Whether you're an employer, job seeker, or just curious about how modern manufacturing stays people-focused, you'll gain valuable insights from this conversation.