Education and Work Center offers college-level classes
The Education and Work Center in Hanover Park, which has provided basic skills training and employment services to a traditionally underserved area, is expanding its offerings to better meet the needs of a changing community.
The innovative partnership between Elgin Community College, Harper College and The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership will introduce the center's first college-level classes, giving students an opportunity to prepare for careers in business, customer service, office administration or manufacturing.
ECC and Harper will launch select credit classes the week of Aug. 20. ECC will offer additional classes that begin the week of Oct. 15.
"The colleges are expanding offerings to help residents with relevant and rewarding career pathways," said Rebecca Walker, senior director of the Education and Work Center. "Local employers are unable to fill quality manufacturing and office administration positions due to a skills gap. The new credit courses offered by ECC and Harper are a win-win for residents and employers in Hanover Park and beyond."
ECC will offer Business Communications, Customer Service Solutions, Database Applications (Microsoft Access), Spreadsheet Applications (Microsoft Excel) and Word Processing Applications (Microsoft Word). Students in the applications courses will have an opportunity to sit for a Microsoft certification.
Harper will offer Manufacturing and Safety, which will provide students with the tools they need to earn the Safety Certification through the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council.
The award-winning partnership represents the best in what has become a national movement toward collaboration for community impact. Since opening in 2014, enrollment at the Education and Work Center has surpassed 600-plus students annually - mostly in English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Education classes.
The on-site WorkNet Center has served more than 3,000 clients providing job search assistance, resume help and career advising.
Students interested in the new slate of college-level classes may be eligible for financial aid opportunities.
For more information about the courses in business and customer service, contact ECC's Admissions and Recruitment office at (847) 214-7385 or admissions@elgin.edu.
Contact Harper's Admissions Outreach office at (847) 925-6700 or admissions@harpercollege.edu for information about the manufacturing and safety course.
Visit www.harpercollege.edu/about/community/ewc/index.php for details.