Waubonsee Community College, Elgin Community College, and Kishwaukee College have partnered with the Kane County Office of Community Reinvestment to offer job skills training services through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
The collaboration between the colleges and Kane County allows each institution to share resources and connect WIOA-eligible job seekers to credentialed training programs. Unemployed adults and underemployed workers in Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties can qualify for access to funding to cover training expenses for in-demand careers.
“This exciting partnership provides an extraordinary boost to our local workforce by helping individuals retool and train for high-demand jobs in our region,” said Ron Ford, Chair of the Workforce Development Board. “Most importantly, this initiative offers life-changing opportunities by providing industry credentials at little to no cost to the job seeker.”
WIOA is a federally funded program geared toward helping individuals gain the professional skills necessary to start or advance their careers. To expedite the earning of corresponding credentials, small cohort training options will be offered at each college and class costs for books, tuition, and supplies will be supported by WIOA funding for eligible and suitable individuals. These accelerated training programs will also offer career counseling and support to match job seekers with local employers based on their skill set.
Upcoming programs at the colleges include:
- Basic Nurse Assisting
- Pharmacy Technician
- Information Technology (IT)
- Truck Driver Training
- Welding
- Supply Chain Management
- Automotive
- Adult Education
- And more
For more information regarding the programs available above or to see if you qualify for WIOA training assistance, visit:
- Waubonsee Community College at https://www.waubonsee.edu/unemployment
- Elgin Community College at www.elgin.edu/about-ecc/workforce-development/
- Kishwaukee College at kish.edu/faculty-staff/job-skills-partnership.php
To learn more about general job search assistance and support services available across the three-county area, you can also contact workNet Batavia at (630)762-2120 or https://worknetbatavia.com/.
Funding is through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA,) as authorized by the local Workforce Development Board that services Kane, Kendall and DeKalb County, and is available to individuals meeting eligibility requirements. Equal Opportunity program. Auxiliary aides and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For more information visit, https://www.countyofkane.org/WDD/.