Skilled trades are in demand. In Illinois, grant funds will focus on helping individuals get the skills necessary for employment in manufacturing in the Chicago Metropolitan area with a focus on the southern part of the City, Cook and Will County. If you’re thinking about a skilled trade you may qualify for the America’s Promise Grants. The Calumet Area Industrial Commission is the recipient of a $4 million grant by the federal government. The goal is to accelerate the pipeline of skilled workers in specific sector. Professor Jeff Bradford at Joliet Jr. College says JJC is helping the CAIC spend some of the grant money.

Students in various sectors at JJC may qualify for grant money, including Welding Technology, Mechanical Production Technology and more. See list below.

Meanwhile, the 8th annual Joliet Jr. College’s Skilled Trades Fair will occur on Thursday, October 17th. The fair is free and open to the public, current JJC students, alumni and veterans. There will be 40 employees at the fair with skilled trades job opportunities, from engineering to welding and automotive. The Skilled Trades Fair will be held between 3:30 and 6 p.m. along the T-Building Concourse at Main Campus, 1215 Houbolt Road. Participants are asked to dress professionally and bring copies of your resume.

 

The Calumet Area Industrial Commission was named the recipient of a $4 million award by the U.S. Department of Labor under the America’s Promise grant initiative. CAIC is one of 23
regional workforce partnerships nationally to receive the funding. The America’s Promise grants are designed to accelerate the development and expansion of regional workforce partnerships committed to providing a pipeline of skilled workers in specific sectors. Grantees will focus on in-demand industries such as information technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, financial services and educational services.

In Illinois, the grant funds will focus on helping individuals get the skills necessary for employment in manufacturing in the Chicago Metropolitan area with a focus on the southern
part of the City, Cook and Will County (the Calumet region).

The grant program covers the following programs:

  • Electrical Electronic Automated Systems
  • Electronics Engineering Technology
  • Industrial Maintenance Technology
  • Operations Engineering & Technician
  • Process Control & Instrumentation Technology
  • Mechanical Production Technology
  • Welding Technology
  • Computer Aided Design & Drafting (CADD)

For a complete listing of employers at the fair, or for more information visitjjc.edu/careers or call Career Services at 815-280-2756.