Resource Rooms large

Resource Rooms

September 1, 2023

Do your customers use computers at the local library, partner computer lab, or Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) resource room?  If so, Illinois workNet can help you and your partners set up computer labs and resource rooms so customers can easily navigate to and use the Illinois workNet website.

Have Resources to Get Customer Started

  1. Make sure staff know the purpose of the site and are familiar with the resources that are available. 
    • Purpose - Illinois workNet is an online resource to help individuals and employers reach their career, employment, and training goals.
    • Resources - Career exploration tools, training provider search, local services search, event calendar, articles and videos, resume builder, job search tool, and much more.
  2. You don't have to be an Illinois workNet guru, just use the Illinois workNet user guides to provide:
    • Staff with online and print materials to quickly help customers get started.
    • Customers with self-directed resources in Illinois workNet. 

Show Partnership

Comprehensive centers and satellite locations are required to display approved exterior Illinois workNet signage using the Illinois workNet logo. If you run one of these locations, display the Illinois workNet partner decal in the entrance window or door. You can request decals by contacting info@illinoisworknet.com. Partners can choose to append the Illinois workNet logo, but it is not required.

However, if your location is not allowed to display signage as part of the lease agreement, this rule does not apply. For example, a site located in a courthouse may not be able to display an exterior sign.

See the materials section of this article for graphics guidelines and logos.

Set Up Computers

When setting up computers, providing easy access to Illinois workNet is important. Here are some guidelines:

  • Link to Illinois workNet from your website.
  • Make Illinois workNet the home page on your computers’ web browsers by using your Unique URL. See instructions for generating and setting up your unique URL below. 
  • Add a shortcut to Illinois workNet to each computer’s desktop. To do this, go to the Illinois workNet home page and highlight the web address in the address bar. Then, click and drag the address to the desktop.
  • Display the 3.75” x 11” Quick Start Computer Guide on the side of each computer.

Generating and Using Unique URLs

Once your site has been set up and approved within the Illinois workNet Service Finder, the designated primary and secondary contacts will have the ability to generate a site specific unique URL. The unique URL allows each site to track their customers' usage of Illinois workNet. The unique URL should be set as the homepage on the computers your customers use, typically in your resource room. Once the unique URL has been set as the home page, it will begin tracking the usage of workNet. 

The designated primary and secondary contacts of the location can access the usage report within the Service Finder from the Usage Report tab. LWIA managers and coordinators have access to see the counts for all sites within their LWIA, and DCEO state level staff have the ability to see the counts for all sites within the Service Finder. For additional information on generating a unique URL and using the report check out the Unique URL Instructions. 

Use Illinois workNet Marketing Resources

At the reception desk:

  • Display the 8.5” x 11” Quick Start Guide.
  • Display business card handouts, with and without contact information, that include the Illinois workNet home page URL. Customers can write down their username and password on the back of the card.

In the resource room and waiting area:

For more resources, head to the Marketing Tools article.

Set up Customer Accounts in WIOA-Funded Resource Rooms

If your location works with individuals who are entered into the Illinois Workforce Development System (IWDS), here is some useful information:

  • When customers are entered into IWDS, an Illinois workNet account is set up for them automatically. Once set up, the account automatically adds the information in IWDS that case managers see.
  • Staff can get customers started with an account by printing out their username, password, and instructions for them. Customers also receive an email with their login link. Once everything is set up, these customers will receive an email prompting them to change their password to something meaningful to them. You can provide a business card sized handout for customers to write down their login information. This way, they can keep it in their wallet or another safe place.
  • Customers will automatically be placed into the LWIA’s customer group. Case managers who have access to those customers in IWDS will also have access to them in Illinois workNet.
Home / Articles & Tips / Resource Rooms

Videos