Area adults can train for manufacturing jobs through new District 214 Community Education program
When Ayumi Sharlow first moved to the United States, she faced many challenges and uncertainties when searching for jobs.
Sharlow, who was previously a nurse for eight years in her native Japan, learned about a new opportunity through District 214 Community Education that helps individuals find high-paying and in-demand jobs in the manufacturing industry. After a tour of a manufacturing facility and learning more about the field, Sharlow realized manufacturing would be a great fit for her.
Created with the input of various organizations, the District 214 Adult Manufacturing Career Pathway program will launch in September. The program consists of a sequence of evening manufacturing courses taught at Wheeling High School, one of which will provide students with an industry-level certification that will make them more marketable during their job search.
To learn more about this opportunity, potential students are encouraged to attend an orientation session on either Tuesday, Aug.13 or Wednesday, Aug. 14. Orientation sessions on both days will be held at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road in Arlington Heights.
Registration will be held in person from Aug. 20 through Aug. 22 at both 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road in Arlington Heights. Residents within District 214, including parents, are welcomed to enroll.
To learn more about the program, or to determine if you qualify, contact Julie Frost at (847) 718-7876 or at julie.frost@d214.org
A $67,000 Innovative Bridge Grant from the Illinois Community College Board, which was awarded to the district's Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) program within Community Education, will go toward implementing the program and educating 50 students over the next year, which includes support and transitional services.
To create the program, AEFL connected with the Symbol Training Institute, which trains students to have a successful career in advanced manufacturing, and Wheeling High School, which for a decade has offered an Advanced Manufacturing career pathway program for students.
"This (program) is going to really fill a void for our local manufacturers and potentially change the trajectory for many of our families," said Jerry Cook, principal of Wheeling High School.
In hopes of securing more funding for the program, a group from the district will head to Miami, in August, to compete at the Minds That Move Us Festival, which brings together prominent business leaders, policymakers, funders and adult career pathway innovators to explore ways to provide support to people who are launching and advancing their careers.
Three teams from the festival will take home $100,000 after pitching their ideas to a panel of expert judges and a live audience. To support the District 214 team, community members can register to vote at https://formstack.io/75DE9.