The Business Employment Skills Team fuels the prosperity and productivity of business by delivering a well-trained and adaptable workforce.

Goals:

1. Inform and educate all staff in the area of
   Business Services and how those services relate to job
   seeker services.

2. Provide outreach activities in an effort to inform
   and educate our customer base on what
   skills/knowledge are needed for today's and tomorrow's
   workplace.

3. Provide ongoing needs assessment of area
   businesses through participation in the Business
   Services Team and act as a liaison between business
   and NCI Works and the one stop system.

The Business Employment Skills Team, Inc. (BEST, Inc.) was established in 1983 as a non-profit corporation to plan and administer employment and training programs under the federal Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and more recently the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA).  BEST offers a variety of job training programs designed to build a quality workforce for the LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam and Lee County areas.  Since established, BEST has exemplified the concept of a public and private partnership through the establishment of the  Workforce Investment Board (WIB).  The Board consists of community leaders representing business, education, labor, economic development, and public service.  The Workforce Investment Board in conjunction with Local Elected Officials, provide planning, guidance and oversight to ensure that local job training programs meet the needs of a modern workforce and workplace.  BEST is proud to be a key partner in the North Central llinois workNet Center, an Illinois workNet Center in Ottawa as well as satellite offices throughout the four-county area.  The NCI Works One Stop Center provide workers and employers with convenient access to many U.S. Department of Labor employment and training programs.

Workforce readiness is a key issue for BEST in helping to reduce the gap between what employers need and the skills of the workforce.  As we face the future we are surrounded by change.  Change in the workplace.  Change in the workforce.  Change in legislation.  The accomplishments BEST has achieved in the past will help us as we face the challenges of the future.