The federal government is still searching for people to hire at the Thomson prison, north of the Quad Cities.
Michelle O'Neill reports, Tuesday in Rock Island, the Bureau of Prisons invited potential employees to learn about the jobs and how to apply.
Summary
Michelle Ketchum, Human Resources Specialist at the prison, says nearly 300 people now work at Thomson. Eventually, that will increase to 1,100.
About 60 people attended the information sessions. Moline resident, Dale Dick, has already registered at the federal government's job website, USA Jobs. The military veteran currently works a couple of jobs. But he'd like to be hired as a prison guard because he got experience in law enforcement serving in the National Guard and the Navy.
Ketchum expects to hire 40 to 50 guards to start working at the Thomson prison in late January. She says later, a variety of other jobs will be open, including electrician, painter, cook, safety officer, dentist, health care worker, secretary, and accountant.
The prison bureau worked with the Illinois Department of Employment Security to host the session. State workers were on hand in the afternoon to help people apply online.
The Partners in Job Training and Placement office has 13 computers with internet access. And they're set aside specifically for residents to apply for any job, not just a government position. The office address is 500 42nd Street, Rock Island, just west of IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union. It's an alternative to computers at libraries which may enforce time limits.
