Elgin Community College notes
Elgin Community College is the recipient of a $1,988,958 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for its Pathways to Health Careers Program. This is one of the largest federal grants ECC has received in its 59-year history.
ECC's grant is part of $125 million awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor to 69 community colleges and community-based institutions across the country, under the President's Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative. ECC was one of only two Illinois community colleges to receive the grant.
The program addresses the growing local workforce demands for underrepresented groups, high school graduates and others to enter the fields of clinical laboratory technology, physical therapy assisting, dental assisting, histology and radiography in Kane and Cook counties. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, health care is considered one of the top 14 high-growth/high demand sectors and expanding the pipeline of youth entering the health care profession is a top priority.
Locally, the percentage of job growth projected in ECC's District 509 through 2014 ranges from 19 to 34 percent for various health facilities, according to the River Valley Workforce Investment Board.
The primary program for this project, Pathways to Health Careers Program, is the Pathways Academy, an intensive summer session of classes for participants who include high school graduates who have completed ECC's Tech Prep and general education programs and unemployed or underemployed adults in District 509. After completing college-level career and health professions preparatory courses, participants will receive assistance in improving reading, writing, math and computer literacy skills if needed.
Participants completing the academy will then enter into one of five occupational majors at ECC (clinical laboratory technology, physical therapy assistant, dental assisting, histology and radiography). Upon graduation, program participants will either enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year university in a health occupations program. Graduates may also opt to enter one of ECC's dental certification career ladder options.
The grant also will cover tuition, books and associated program fees for program participants.
Take a trip to see 'Anything Goes': Elgin Community College will host a group trip to Fort Atkinson, Wis., to see a production of "Anything Goes" at the Fireside Dinner Theatre on April 16.
The trip, sponsored by the college's Corporate and Continuing Education Division, will leave ECC promptly at 8:45 a.m. Return time is approximately 5:30 p.m., depending on traffic, weather and unforeseen conditions. Cost is $99 per person, and includes transportation on deluxe coach bus, tickets and a snack. Seating is limited.
Participants will spend their day at the Fireside, one of the Midwest's most popular professional theaters. After browsing the facility's five specialty gift shops, participants will have lunch and see a production of "Anything Goes."
Hailed as the granddaddy of all madcap musicals, "Anything Goes" is filled with ocean voyages, mistaken identities, wacky love triangles, disguises, surprises and dazzling tap dancing all tied together with one of the most beloved musical scores by one of America's greatest songwriters -- Cole Porter. Participants will enjoy such classic tunes as "I Get a Kick Out of You," "Blow Gabriel Blow," "Friendship," "You're the Top" and "Anything Goes."
All trips depart from the circle drive of the ECC Fox Valley University and Business Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Participants should gather in the UBC lobby.
Register for 2008spn CET 615-100; all trips must be paid for upon registration. For more information or to register, call (847) 622-3036 or visit www.elgin.edu/noncredit.