Community colleges build work force strength
As spring arrives in the Fox Valley, the green shoots of economic growth and recovery are beginning to sprout, perhaps signaling an end to this long economic winter and a brighter future for all.
Much of this recent optimism is directly linked to our local work force being well-trained and well-prepared to get back to the business of making America great.
Community colleges, and specifically the Workforce Development programs, are playing a significant role in ensuring that our workers and employers are equipped to compete in the 21st century economy.
Today community colleges are the number one training provider in the state of Illinois. Across the state, businesses, organizations and units of local government look to community colleges to provide highly effective training in the leadership, professional development, technical, industrial, computer, health care, occupational safety, and green job arenas.
Nearly all of this training takes place on demand and is customized to clients' specific needs. To help employers achieve their employee requirements, the Illinois community colleges collaborate through the weTRaIN network, which serves nearly 3,000 businesses and organizations every year through 38 training centers. More information can be found at www.wetrainillinois.org.
In addition, people also find career success starts at their local community college. While degrees and certificates earned at community colleges help local residents increase their earning power, some workers simply need a short-term class or two to refresh their skill set. C
lasses are offered every month of the year, and on mornings, afternoons and evenings, weekends and online. These training classes are perfect for someone who wants to learn a required job skill or become certified for a particular industry.
Waubonsee Community College's Workforce Development department regularly offers all of these classes and services, and much more. One new area of focus - which is already making a difference in our community - is the Career Readiness Certificate. Tied to ACT's WorkKeys assessments, individuals can earn this certificate by demonstrating they have specific foundational workplace skills.
Because Illinois high school students already take two WorkKeys assessments as a part of their Prairie State Achievement Exam, adding a third assessment can give students the complete credential.
This is beneficial to employers as well. Businesses know what to expect from new hires and can set precise levels of career readiness for different positions, as well as set skill guidelines for the retraining of current employees.
Ultimately, the Career Readiness Certificate is an asset for the economic development of the entire region, as it documents the skills of our work force.
Partnerships also strengthen the impact of Waubonsee's Workforce Development area.
An example is a number of green initiatives currently in development with the city of Aurora. Our driver safety program, which serves the 16th Judicial Circuit, has partnered with the village of Sugar Grove and the Kaneland School District to provide the Alive at 25 Program that helps younger drivers realize the responsibility that comes with operating a car.
We also make a positive impact with some of the most vulnerable local community members through the Employment Skills Training Program partnership conducted at the Hesed House homeless shelter.
A strong work force is helping our economy pull out of the recent recession, and community colleges such as Waubonsee are striving to make that work force even stronger.
Christine Sobek is president of Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove.