Manley Congratulates Michelle Stiff on Statewide Outstanding Achievement Award

JOLIET, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, congratulates Michelle Stiff, Director of Workforce Center of Will County, for being honored for a statewide Outstanding Achievement in Workforce and Labor.

Stiff received the award from the Illinois State Treasurer Thursday.

Each year, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs celebrates Women’s History Month and recognizes individuals from around the state for their accomplishments, according to an email from the treasurer’s office.

Stiff has been the director for the past five years, focusing on removing barriers between job hunters and employers. Approximately 300-400 job seekers each year participate in the program that offers scholarships, training and work readiness for adults who are unemployed or underemployed. Workforce Center of Will County also oversees about 60 youths, in partnership with Joliet Junior College.

Workforce programs are evaluated on 15 standards. Stiff said that Workforce Center of Will County meets, and often times exceeds those standards every year.

“This award not only honors me, but also recognizes the staff, Workforce Board, and Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, who together work toward removing barriers for students, and helping them change the trajectory of their lives,” Stiff said.

“The work that Michelle has accomplished with the Workforce team has impacted so many Will County residents for the better,” Rep. Manley said. “She is changing lives on a daily basis.”

Stiff attended Governor’s State University, where she earned a bachelors of arts degree in liberal arts, plus two masters degrees in special education and educational leadership. She had previously been an administrator in Joliet School District 86 for four years, and a special education teacher for more than a decade before that. 

“I have both compassion and respect for those who have had to learn to dig deep to access their strength to persevere,” Stiff said.

She went on to attend a similar workforce program in Cook County, which at the time was a six-month training at Arthur Anderson.

Some of the barriers that Workforce Center of Will County helps job seekers overcome may include providing laptops to people who do not have access to technology, or childcare for parents.

“Education and work skills are not the same for everyone, leaving many people unnecessarily unemployed or underemployed,” Rep. Manley said. “Michelle Stiff continues to help people find ways to better themselves and achieve success.”