Laker Nation News

The Illinois Local Workforce Development Area (WIOA) #23 and Lake Land College are pleased to recommend the appointment of Jamie Corda Hadjaoui as the new director of workforce investment. She replaces Gerry Schlechte who will retire this spring.

Lake Land College President Josh Bullock will recommend Corda Hadjaoui to the Lake Land College Board of Trustees at the regular April 13 board meeting.

In this position, Corda Hadjaoui will lead the Local Workforce Innovation Board (LWIB) staff to meet the program goals, fulfill the mission, and pursue the vision of the WIOA Board. The director accepts all Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) executive and leadership responsibilities for the successful management, lawfully compliant administration, operational performance, and financial integrity of all procedures, programs, and activities of the LWIB. The director represents the LWIB, chief elected officials, and Lake Land College.

Chairman of the Local Workforce Innovation Board (LWIB) Pat Click said, “We have sincerely appreciated the leadership and hard work that retiring director Gerry Schlechte has done for our organization.  We welcome Jamie in this new role and look toward her leading LWIA 23 in both in the individuals we serve as well as the businesses we work with, both large and small.  Her experience in Career and Technical Education programs will be very valuable as we work together in bringing economic growth and job opportunities to the thirteen counties that we serve.”

Having spent more than a decade in training and supervisory positions, Corda Hadjaoui has experienced firsthand how vital it is to help job seekers access employment, education and training in the labor market as well as matching employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

“Jamie’s management and human resources skills are closely aligned with the responsibilities of this position,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “I am certain our workforce development team and the college community will see many positive outcomes from Jamie’s leadership.”

Corda Hadjaoui developed her sales skills in her position at the real estate company, The Atkins Group, for more than seven years. She previously held management positions at Bergner’s Department Store and Arby’s in Rantoul. Corda Hadjaoui currently serves as the Perkins Specialist at Lake Land College. In this role, she provides services to help students enrolled in Workforce Ready programs successfully complete an associate in applied science (AAS) degree or certificate, with the goal to enter the workforce in the chosen field immediately after completion.

Corda Hadjaoui has an associate degree from Parkland College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Eastern Illinois University. She will complete a master’s of business administration from Eastern Illinois University in May.

WIOA provides activities that increase employment, retention, earnings, and skills in the American workforce. C.E.F.S. is part of the 13-county Illinois Local Workforce Development Area #23, which receives its funding from the U.S. Department of Labor through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Lake Land College.