The document provides sample templates and suggestions for writing success stories about individuals and employers who participated in workforce programs. For individuals, it suggests including your name, where you worked, what you learned, and how the program positively impacted your life and future plans. For employers, it suggests including the company name, how the program helped meet goals, and the positive outcomes and future plans. The templates are intended to help participants and programs tell their success stories.

1. Success Story Starters
October 2014
Illinois workNet Centers are an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities at Illinois workNet Centers.
Sponsored by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. 10/2014 v2

2. Sample Templates
Individuals
Employers
Laid Off Worker
Youth Employment Program
For the following participants:
For the following programs: Incumbent Worker Program

3. Participant Type: Individual Program Type: Youth Employment Program
Suggestions Examples for Parts of a Success Story
Use only your first name. You can
include a description of your
background or challenge.
My name is Matthew.
Include where you worked, your job
title and a brief description of your
responsibilities.
The past six weeks of my summer was spent working as an office aide with
Anderson Company. As an office aide I had to complete different tasks,
such as: filing papers, making copies of transcripts, creating employee
manuals and student/parent handbooks, and completing any additional
tasks.
Include things that you have learned.
This includes soft skills, technical skills,
and academic skills.
While working here I have learned organizational skills, how to take
direction from authority, and how to work on a schedule. I have also learned
how to work under pressure.
Describe the positive change in your life
as a result of participating in the
program and your plans for the future.
These skills will help me when I go back to school and in future jobs. I
hope that I can participate in the program again.
NEXT SLIDE: See a sample success story video.

4. Program Type: Laid Off Worker
Suggestions Examples for Parts of a Success Story
Use only your first name. You can include a
description of your background or
challenge.
I received a Medical Administrative Assistant AAS 5 years ago. Once I
completed this program I began doing medical transcription work at
home until I was laid off in 2012.
Describe what were you trying to achieve. After being laid off, I decided to stay in the Health Science field but I
knew that I needed to update my skills. I decided to become a Registered
Health Information Technician (RHIT).
Describe how the program was able to help
you achieve your goals.
There was no way that I was able to afford to update my skills on my
own. Thanks to WIA, I was able to achieve this goal. I completed the
Health Information Management AAS and now I am gainfully
employed, using my training and enjoying my job.
Describe the positive change in your life as
a result of participating in the program and
your plans for the future.
Having job security is an added bonus. I've always been able to find a job
but now I can say I have a career. With this career comes many options.
Participant Type: Individual

5. Participant Type: Employer
Program Type: Incumbent Worker Program
Suggestions Examples for Parts of a Success Story
Include the employer name and
description of your background or
challenge.
Peterson Construction needed to have training provide training for their
staff in order to be in compliance with regulations that required all
contractors that disturb lead-based paint in homes, schools and child care
facilities built before 1978 be certified and follow specific work practices to
prevent lead contamination. Without the training, the company would lose
business which would result in significant layoffs.
Describe how the program was able to
help you achieve your goals.
The certified lead based paint training consisted of a one day training
session. The response to the training was so great, that 4 separate training
sessions had to be scheduled to train the 74
workers/contractors/renovators.
Describe the positive change outcome as
a result of participating in the program
and your plans for the future.
The certification allows the company to continue to be employed in this
sector and to work on these structures built prior to 1978.

6. Participant Type: Employer Program Type: Youth Employment Program
Suggestions Examples for Parts of a Success Story
Use only your first name, organization
and the program provider.
My name is Kathy, and I am part of the Green Recycling Company. We
are thankful that Helping Hands Student Center provided us with the
summer workers.
Include a description the participants
activities and responsibilities.
During the past six weeks students learned about Green Philosophy by
participating in classroom and community oriented activities. They have
also discussed career opportunities, employment options, life skills, and
the importance of being involved in community based activities.
Describe the skills of the students. The students possess the amount of effort and dedication an employer
requests. These youth workers are great!
Describe the positive change outcome as a
result of participating in the program and
your plans for the future.
We were able to hire two students to work part-time when they go back to
school. This is a great program and we would like to participate in the
program again.