Jennifer Brackney, Workforce Development
Helping people as they navigate sometimes-tricky career paths and assisting employers find their next employee isn’t a bad way to spend the day. Jennifer Brackney, division manager of marketing and business development for the City of Peoria’s Workforce Development, can attest to that. Her own career path has taken a couple of turns, but helping others has always been a constant.
Brackney, a native of Peoria Heights, graduated from Bradley University and taught elementary school for two years before signing on to assist the Dislocated Worker Program. After legislation changes resulted in Brackney becoming a dislocated worker herself, she accepted a temporary position with the Central Illinois Private Industry Council, now known as the City of Peoria’s Workforce Development Department. "Who knew then that the part-time, temporary job I accepted would become a career for me?" she said.
She quickly became a full-time youth counselor and then moved on to the position of youth programs coordinator. One of the successful programs designed and operated by the City was the Summer Training and Education Program (STEP), a training program for at-risk high school students that received a 1991 Job Training Partnership Act Presidential Award. "The program served more than 1,000 young people over a six-year period, and reported a 97 percent attendance rate. The students involved with the program gained an average of eight months in reading and 14 months in math skills," Brackney said.
While a youth programs coordinator, Brackney returned to school to earn a master’s degree in educational administration. After completing the degree, she became operations manager, and this year accepted her current position. Brackney’s job responsibilities include identifying and solving issues which affect workforce development in the community, getting the word out about the Workforce Network, improving existing programs and services, and generating funds.
She still works with young people frequently, an aspect of her job she loves. "It’s very important. I’ve worked many years to develop programs and services to meet workforce needs of youth in the community. I’m very optimistic about the next generation of Peoria workers. I believe the young people in the Peoria community will help take the vision of this community well into the 21st Century," she said.
One of the ideas she helps get across to area youth is the importance of education. "Deciding how far to go in school is one of the most important decisions a young person makes. Educational attainment plays a critical role in virtually every labor market outcome. On average, the more education people have, the more likely they are to seek and find jobs, earn higher wages, and retire with a pension. To be successful in today’s workplace, you must be willing to be a life-long learner," Brackney said.
She practices what she preaches—and takes the message home as well. Brackney’s husband, a Caterpillar retiree looking for a second career, took advantage of his wife’s career counseling skills and decided to become a high school history teacher. He receives his teaching certificate in May. Brackney herself recently re-entered the classroom and completed a class on Web design. "I knew very little about designing a Web site, and now one of my biggest projects is to create the Workforce Network Web site—www.WorkforceNetwork.com."
The best part of her job—in addition to helping family and friends with career decisions—is working with people in the community. "It’s so rewarding to assist an individual in successfully attaining their career and/or educational goals. The ultimate reward in my job is to see a team of people work together to make a difference in the community," she said.
The most fulfilling part can also turn into the most challenging aspect, however. "To work with people, one must be willing to be patient, flexible, and willing to see issues from different points of view. The true challenge of workforce development is to identify issues relating to the workforce, develop ways to address these issues, develop partnerships in the community, and then make it happen," Brackney said.
By all accounts, Brackney has met that challenge. She received the 1998 State of Illinois Employee of the Year Award, a 1999 40 Leaders Under Forty Award, and graduated from the Community Leadership School in 2000. "It was an honor to receive these awards, and I believe one person does and can make a difference. But it’s a team of people who can move mountains," she said.
In the next five to 10 years, Brackney predicts many changes in the local workforce. "We already know—or can at least project—the workforce isn’t going to look the same as it does today. The labor force including 45- to 64-year-olds will grow faster than the labor force of any other age group as the baby boom generation continues to age. The labor force of 25- to 34-year-olds is projected to decline. The nation’s population and workforce will continue to become more ethnically diverse, and the labor force participation rates of women in nearly all age groups are expected to increase. It’s estimated women will comprise half of the 2020 workforce," she said.
These projections are used to provide career guidance in planning education and training programs and in studying long-range employment trends, Brackney said. "Because economic growth will depend on increased worker productivity, the educational attainment of today’s students raises an important concern for tomorrow’s workforce. Other than trying to understand how the workforce will change, another challenge is to prepare workers to meet the needs of tomorrow’s workplace."
Brackney doesn’t reserve her energy just for her career. She volunteers her time with many local agencies, including Midstate College and the Pediatric Resource Center. "To me, doing volunteer work is very rewarding; it gives me a chance to give back to the community. I love the Pediatric Resource Center because the overall mission of this group is to be a child advocacy center for the abused and neglected children in central Illinois. The Center provides comprehensive medical examinations and case coordination services with the many agencies and systems that interact with and serve these children. The Center also recognizes the need to provide opportunities for training and education to both professionals and the public, and to promote the development and expansion of prevention and intervention on the community. This year’s fundraising event is Catch the Spirit October 19, a casual evening by the river at the new RiverPlex."
In keeping with her belief in the value of education, she’s a member of the Midstate College board. "Midstate College has made astounding leaps forward in the development of educational opportunities and creating options to meet the technology needs of the future," Brackney said.
Even with her extensive responsibilities, Brackney keeps her feet planted firmly on the ground with the help of her husband, stepdaughters, and grandchildren. "There is always so much to do professionally and within the community. However, as a woman, I believe it’s essential to maintain a balance. This isn’t easy to do with so much going on, but my family helps me keep my life in balance." TPW
Brackney, a native of Peoria Heights, graduated from Bradley University and taught elementary school for two years before signing on to assist the Dislocated Worker Program. After legislation changes resulted in Brackney becoming a dislocated worker herself, she accepted a temporary position with the Central Illinois Private Industry Council, now known as the City of Peoria’s Workforce Development Department. "Who knew then that the part-time, temporary job I accepted would become a career for me?" she said.
She quickly became a full-time youth counselor and then moved on to the position of youth programs coordinator. One of the successful programs designed and operated by the City was the Summer Training and Education Program (STEP), a training program for at-risk high school students that received a 1991 Job Training Partnership Act Presidential Award. "The program served more than 1,000 young people over a six-year period, and reported a 97 percent attendance rate. The students involved with the program gained an average of eight months in reading and 14 months in math skills," Brackney said.
While a youth programs coordinator, Brackney returned to school to earn a master’s degree in educational administration. After completing the degree, she became operations manager, and this year accepted her current position. Brackney’s job responsibilities include identifying and solving issues which affect workforce development in the community, getting the word out about the Workforce Network, improving existing programs and services, and generating funds.
She still works with young people frequently, an aspect of her job she loves. "It’s very important. I’ve worked many years to develop programs and services to meet workforce needs of youth in the community. I’m very optimistic about the next generation of Peoria workers. I believe the young people in the Peoria community will help take the vision of this community well into the 21st Century," she said.
One of the ideas she helps get across to area youth is the importance of education. "Deciding how far to go in school is one of the most important decisions a young person makes. Educational attainment plays a critical role in virtually every labor market outcome. On average, the more education people have, the more likely they are to seek and find jobs, earn higher wages, and retire with a pension. To be successful in today’s workplace, you must be willing to be a life-long learner," Brackney said.
She practices what she preaches—and takes the message home as well. Brackney’s husband, a Caterpillar retiree looking for a second career, took advantage of his wife’s career counseling skills and decided to become a high school history teacher. He receives his teaching certificate in May. Brackney herself recently re-entered the classroom and completed a class on Web design. "I knew very little about designing a Web site, and now one of my biggest projects is to create the Workforce Network Web site—www.WorkforceNetwork.com."
The best part of her job—in addition to helping family and friends with career decisions—is working with people in the community. "It’s so rewarding to assist an individual in successfully attaining their career and/or educational goals. The ultimate reward in my job is to see a team of people work together to make a difference in the community," she said.
The most fulfilling part can also turn into the most challenging aspect, however. "To work with people, one must be willing to be patient, flexible, and willing to see issues from different points of view. The true challenge of workforce development is to identify issues relating to the workforce, develop ways to address these issues, develop partnerships in the community, and then make it happen," Brackney said.
By all accounts, Brackney has met that challenge. She received the 1998 State of Illinois Employee of the Year Award, a 1999 40 Leaders Under Forty Award, and graduated from the Community Leadership School in 2000. "It was an honor to receive these awards, and I believe one person does and can make a difference. But it’s a team of people who can move mountains," she said.
In the next five to 10 years, Brackney predicts many changes in the local workforce. "We already know—or can at least project—the workforce isn’t going to look the same as it does today. The labor force including 45- to 64-year-olds will grow faster than the labor force of any other age group as the baby boom generation continues to age. The labor force of 25- to 34-year-olds is projected to decline. The nation’s population and workforce will continue to become more ethnically diverse, and the labor force participation rates of women in nearly all age groups are expected to increase. It’s estimated women will comprise half of the 2020 workforce," she said.
These projections are used to provide career guidance in planning education and training programs and in studying long-range employment trends, Brackney said. "Because economic growth will depend on increased worker productivity, the educational attainment of today’s students raises an important concern for tomorrow’s workforce. Other than trying to understand how the workforce will change, another challenge is to prepare workers to meet the needs of tomorrow’s workplace."
Brackney doesn’t reserve her energy just for her career. She volunteers her time with many local agencies, including Midstate College and the Pediatric Resource Center. "To me, doing volunteer work is very rewarding; it gives me a chance to give back to the community. I love the Pediatric Resource Center because the overall mission of this group is to be a child advocacy center for the abused and neglected children in central Illinois. The Center provides comprehensive medical examinations and case coordination services with the many agencies and systems that interact with and serve these children. The Center also recognizes the need to provide opportunities for training and education to both professionals and the public, and to promote the development and expansion of prevention and intervention on the community. This year’s fundraising event is Catch the Spirit October 19, a casual evening by the river at the new RiverPlex."
In keeping with her belief in the value of education, she’s a member of the Midstate College board. "Midstate College has made astounding leaps forward in the development of educational opportunities and creating options to meet the technology needs of the future," Brackney said.
Even with her extensive responsibilities, Brackney keeps her feet planted firmly on the ground with the help of her husband, stepdaughters, and grandchildren. "There is always so much to do professionally and within the community. However, as a woman, I believe it’s essential to maintain a balance. This isn’t easy to do with so much going on, but my family helps me keep my life in balance." TPW