Will Works Podcast

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

Will Works Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 63 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Will Works Podcast, a business show with 63 episodes published.

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  Will Works Podcast

  E63: How the Joliet Chamber Helps Local Businesses Thrive

  Aug 6, 202632 min

  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.

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  Will Works Podcast

  E62: Growing Will County's Clean Energy Workforce

  Jul 1, 202622 min

  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.

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  Will Works Podcast

  E61: Apprenticeships Beyond the Trades: Building Modern Careers

  May 23, 202639 minS0

  <p >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. The conversation highlights the growing role apprenticeships play in workforce innovation, the importance of soft skills alongside technical training, and how employers are using these programs to build the workforce of the future while opening doors for people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.</p>

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  Will Works Podcast

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

  May 12, 202627 minS0

  <p >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.</p>

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  Will Works Podcast

  E59: The Apprenticeship Advantage: Lessons from Germany

  Feb 13, 202641 minS0

  <p>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...

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