Glossary

All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Acronyms

  • DCEO
    The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is the lead state agency responsible for improving the competitiveness of Illinois in the global economy resulting in growing, prosperous industries, high quality jobs, and world-class communities. 
  • ICAPS

    An Accelerating Opportunities Initiative, seeks to address the needs of the adults in our community who are in need of a high school diploma. Recognizing that by 2018, two-thirds of the job opportunities will require some level of postsecondary education, it seeks to provide an opportunity for skill attainment. The ICAPS program includes dual enrollment in Adult Education and Career and Technical Education courses, leading to completion of the high school equivalency (GED), an institutional certificate, and at least one industry certification. Each program includes a pathway for students to continue their education, leading to a degree. In addition to the unique programming offerings, intense support services are offered to ensure students have the tools needed to complete their studies and be successful in the workforce. A career navigator works with each student, assisting the student with any obstacles that arise.  ​

  • ICCB
    Administers the Public Community College Act and promotes high-quality, accessible, cost-effective educational opportunities for the individual and the community. Citation
  • Identifies Career Interests
    Takes charge of personal career development by identifying occupational interests, strengths, options, and opportunities. Makes insightful career planning decisions based on integration and consideration of others’ feedback, and seeks out additional training to pursue career goals.
  • Identifies Career Issues
    Provides career advice; helps employees identify career problems including lack of advancement, interpersonal conflicts, and burnout. Helps employees identify career paths and promotion opportunities in the organization.​​
  • Identifies with the Team and its Goals
    Identifies the goals, norms, values, and customs of the team. Is a team player and contributes to the group’s effort. Uses a group approach to identify problems and develop solutions based on group consensus. Effectively communicates with all members of the group or team to achieve team goals and objectives.
  • Identifying Emerging Trends
    Identifies emerging trends and forms strategic plans to address them.
  • Identifying Performance Criteria
    Identifies work-related performance criteria that need to be measured for individual and team performance, and determines a means of measuring these criteria.
  • Identifying Required Skills
    Accurately and comprehensively identifies candidate skills needed to perform in vacant positions.
  • Identifying Resources
    Continually seeks to identify resources (e.g. staffing, training and monetary resources), both internal and external, that can be useful to unit and assist in work accomplishment. Proactively works to secure additional resources for work unit.
  • Identifying/Understanding
    Anticipates or recognizes the existence of a problem. Identifies the true nature of the problem by analyzing its component parts. Differentiate among types of problems (technical, human relations, ethical). Uses all available reference systems to locate and obtain information relevant to the problem. Recalls previously learned information that is relevant to the problem.
  • IEP
    A written plan designed to help develop specific educational goals for the child with disabilities. It identifies the disability; describes the child's strengths and areas of need; lists goals that the child should reach in a year's time; includes short-term instructional objectives that represent a series of kills to master or goals to accomplish; and, identifies programs and services, including regular education, that the child will receive. The IEP is reviewed each year. From age 14 on, the IEP will also address transition needs and services.
  • IEP Transitional Process
    The IEP transition planning process utilizes interrelated steps that build upon each other, and focuses on preparing a youth for the adult world. The end result is a comprehensive, dynamic, and coordinated IEP transition program that reflects the student's vision for adult life.
  • Illinois Community College Board
    Administers the Public Community College Act and promotes high-quality, accessible, cost-effective educational opportunities for the individual and the community. Citation
  • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
    The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is the lead state agency responsible for improving the competitiveness of Illinois in the global economy resulting in growing, prosperous industries, high quality jobs, and world-class communities. 
  • Illinois WARN Act
    The Illinois Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (Illinois WARN) became effective January 1, 2005. The Illinois WARN Act requires employers to give 60 day notice to employees and their unions, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity's Bureau of Workforce Development, and the Department of Labor, of an impending plant closing or mass layoff. The Illinois law is very similar to the Federal WARN Act. However, there are some important differences between the two.
  • Illinois workNet Partners

    A network of workforce professionals dedicated to raising the health, education, and economic standards of Illinois' communities. They use Illinois workNet to assist individuals with career planning, job search, finding education, finding work support services, and training. This network of professionals includes state agencies, community-based organizations, education entities, social service organizations, faith-based organizations, libraries, and more. Partners also include local agencies and organizations that assist with or connect businesses to employee recruitment and training and information to help grow and manage a business.​​

  • Illinois workNet Registered Trademark

    ​Illinois workNet® is Registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office. On September 14, 2010 the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued notification that the Illinois workNet® logo is now officially registered. This means the logo is registered to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to be used with the Illinois workNet portal and branding of the workforce system.

  • Illinois workNet Satellite Site
    An Illinois workNet Center branch office that provides information about job vacancies, career options, relevant employment trends, and services such as job search assistance, and referrals to training programs and/or support services. Most services are free to local residents. Some programs and/or training have qualifying criteria under the Workforce Investment Act.
  • Impairment-Related Work Expenses
    Impairment-Related Work Expenses are deducted from the net earned income for any individuals in SSI/SSDI program – with regards to the disability calculator.
  • Implementing Strategies
    Confidently implements chosen strategies, despite difficulty and resistance from others. Collaborates across organizational units to ensure buy-in and follow-through on strategies. Skillfully obtains commitment from affected parties to transform strategic vision into reality.
  • Inactive Site

    ​Locations that were formerly identified as Illinois workNet Sites but have discontinued activities related to Illinois workNet.

  • Incumbent Worker Training

    Incumbent Worker Training is designed to meet the needs of an employer or group of employers to retain a skilled workforce or avert layoffs. Incumbent Worker training can be used to either:

    • Help avert potential layoffs of employees; or
    • Obtain the skills necessary to retain employment, such as increasing the skill levels of employees so they can be promoted within the company and create backfill opportunities for new or less-skilled employees.

    Unlike other trainings, employers, instead of individuals, must meet the local eligibility criteria to receive funds for training their workforce. In most circumstances, incumbent workers being trained must have been employed with the company for at least six months. Employers who receive these funds are required to meet requirements for providing the non-federal share of the cost of the training.

  • Individualized Education Program
    A written plan designed to help develop specific educational goals for the child with disabilities. It identifies the disability; describes the child's strengths and areas of need; lists goals that the child should reach in a year's time; includes short-term instructional objectives that represent a series of kills to master or goals to accomplish; and, identifies programs and services, including regular education, that the child will receive. The IEP is reviewed each year. From age 14 on, the IEP will also address transition needs and services.
  • Industry
    An industry is a category used to describe a company's primary business activity, usually determined by the largest source of a company's revenues. It can be classified very broadly (e.g. manufacturing) or specifically (e.g. fast-food restaurants). Citation
  • Industry Credential
    A work-related credential, certification, or license that:
     
    1. Verifies, through a valid assessment, an individual’s qualifications or competence in a specific skillset related to a particular industry or occupation;
     
    2. Is issued by an industry-related organization or state licensing body with the relevant authority to issue such credentials; and
     
    3. Is broadly sought or accepted by employers as a recognized, preferred, or required credential for recruitment, screening, hiring, retention, or advancement purposes.​
  • Influencing Decision Makers
    Knows which organizational leaders to influence to win support for new ideas and skillfully persuades key decision makers to invest appropriate resources to transform new ideas into reality. Woos venture capitalists, and other extra-organizational constituents to seek financial support for new ideas.
  • Informational Interview
    ​Interview technique used to choose a career field, learn how to enter it, and determine what it takes to have a successful career.
  • Informing
    Responds to the schedules of others affected by arrangements. Informs others of arrangements, giving them complete, accurate and timely information. Ensures that others receive needed materials in time.
  • Initiated
    Commerce staff person completed the required fields (i.e. IWDS grant selected, grantee organization selected or added, and grantee contact with email address) and clicked to notify the grantee to submit the training project plan.
  • Initiative
    Initiative is the power or ability to begin or to follow through energetically with a plan or task; enterprise and determination. (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) Citation
  • Inspiring Others
    Embodies organizational vision and demonstrates conviction in vision in order to inspire others.
  • Instructing
    Provides instruction on how to accomplish an assignment. Explains correct and incorrect ways to accomplish tasks. Provides timely and effective feedback about whether task is being performed correctly.
  • Integrated Career and Academic Preparedness System

    An Accelerating Opportunities Initiative, seeks to address the needs of the adults in our community who are in need of a high school diploma. Recognizing that by 2018, two-thirds of the job opportunities will require some level of postsecondary education, it seeks to provide an opportunity for skill attainment. The ICAPS program includes dual enrollment in Adult Education and Career and Technical Education courses, leading to completion of the high school equivalency (GED), an institutional certificate, and at least one industry certification. Each program includes a pathway for students to continue their education, leading to a degree. In addition to the unique programming offerings, intense support services are offered to ensure students have the tools needed to complete their studies and be successful in the workforce. A career navigator works with each student, assisting the student with any obstacles that arise.  ​

  • Integrated Education and Training

    ​​Training that combines workforce education for a specific occupation or occupational cluster with English literacy instruction or other adult education and literacy activities, including programs that provide for dual enrollment. 

  • Integration
    Critically evaluates and analyzes information in written materials. Integrates and synthesizes information from multiple written materials.
  • Intensity
    Communication is not over-the-top and melodramatic.
  • Interest Profiler
    The Interest Profile self-assessment will help you to find out what occupations most closely match your occupational interests. It also helps you to identify your strongest work-related interests, and matches occupations to those interests.
  • Interests
    A state of curiosity or concern about or attention to something: an interest in sports. Citation
  • Intermediate Computer User
    Individuals that have used, or will use, office productivity software for their work. Anyone who already has basic computer skills may need to use Microsoft Office or similar software to achieve their job goals, and benefits from enhancing their intermediate computer skills. For many jobs, knowing how to use word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software are skills to include on a resume, include with a cover letter, discuss during a job interview, and even test for as part of the job application process.
  • Internet
    A vast computer network linking smaller computer networks worldwide (usually prec. by the). The Internet includes commercial, educational, governmental, and other networks, all of which use the same set of communications protocols.
  • Internet Applications
    Effectively uses the internet and web-based tools to manage basic workplace tasks (e.g., timekeeping, maintaining employee records, conducting information searches). Understands and performs Internet functions requiring the use of log-in and password information. Is aware of company guidelines surrounding internet usage and complies with those guidelines. Understands the purpose and use of a virus detection program and other security programs such as spyware and adware protection.
  • Internships
    A work experience or internship is a planned, structured learning experience that takes place in a workplace for a limited period of time. Work experiences or internships may be paid or unpaid, as appropriate and consistent with other laws, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act. A work experience or internship may be arranged within the private for-profit sector, the non-profit sector, or the public sector.
    For youth, work experiences may also include:
    • Pre-apprenticeship programs;
    • Summer employment and other employment activities available throughout the school year;
    • Internships and job shadowing; and
    • On-the-job training (OJT)
  • Interpersonal Relationships
    Relationship existing or occuring between persons; a connection, association, or involvement.
  • Interview
    Employers review job applications and resumes and, based upon the review, determine which job applicants qualify. Applicants that appear qualified based upon their application or resume are typically invited to participate with a job interview. A job interview may be in person with one employer representative or a group, over the phone, or online through a video feed. The interview provides the employer an opportunity to learn more about the applicant and to select an applicant to be offered the job.
  • IRWE
    Impairment-Related Work Expenses are deducted from the net earned income for any individuals in SSI/SSDI program – with regards to the disability calculator.
  • IWT

    Incumbent Worker Training is designed to meet the needs of an employer or group of employers to retain a skilled workforce or avert layoffs. Incumbent Worker training can be used to either:

    • Help avert potential layoffs of employees; or
    • Obtain the skills necessary to retain employment, such as increasing the skill levels of employees so they can be promoted within the company and create backfill opportunities for new or less-skilled employees.

    Unlike other trainings, employers, instead of individuals, must meet the local eligibility criteria to receive funds for training their workforce. In most circumstances, incumbent workers being trained must have been employed with the company for at least six months. Employers who receive these funds are required to meet requirements for providing the non-federal share of the cost of the training.

  • IWTS Course
    A training activity that earns a credential and must be completed to show an incumbent worker outcome. A training plan may include multiple courses. Enter each unique course that earns a credential and must be completed to show an incumbent worker outcome.
  • IWTS Course Session
    This describes the details for each course, including instructions for participants, schedule, location, and instructor information. Multiple sessions can be associated with a course.