Enhancing Workforce Readiness and Community Engagement
Our district’s employers count on us for the well-educated and trained workforce they need to run their businesses and contribute to a thriving economy. And community members turn to us for the education they need to earn a living wage, support their families and pursue their dreams. This year, we put a particular focus on expanding our network of partnerships with industry and not-for-profit leaders across our communities to ensure that we’re meeting the needs of all our stakeholders. • Through our Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI), we’re collaborating with community-based organizations to create pathways for students in high-poverty areas to programs like Commercial Driver’s License, Emergency Medical Technician, and Pharmacy Technician. Last year, more than 100 WEI participants earned credentials that equipped them for jobs with an average starting wage of more than $22 an hour. • In partnership with Endeavor Health, we’re addressing critical shortages in the health care workforce. We launched several new short-term credential programs, including Sterile Processing Technician and Patient Care Technician, and we’re developing additional certificate and degree programs that will launch in 2025. • When asylum seekers arrived in our district last year, we were one of the first organizations to rise to the occasion. Within weeks of the first arrivals, we were preparing asylum seekers to enroll in on-site English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. We also provide on-site ESL classes in partnership with LSG Sky Chefs and other companies, responding directly to our community’s workforce needs.
• To alleviate shortages of child care workers, we developed a program that combines training and work-based learning opportunities to prepare Spanish-speaking residents to earn both early childhood education and English as a Second Language credentials. In partnership with the City of Evanston and several community organizations, we are preparing students to enter the workforce and serve local families. Innovating to Meet the Community’s Needs We launched or re-imagined several programs to better serve students, businesses and entrepreneurs. For example: • We revamped our automotive program to offer shorter- term certificate programs, leading to significantly higher completion rates. • Our new Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers business advising and training for members of our community. • We introduced a new Robotics and Vision Technician Certificate program to prepare students to thrive in the growing field of robotics.
“Family income has a significant impact on children’s success in school. By helping parents prepare for high-wage jobs, we are helping the whole family. And when you help multiple families, you create just and thriving communities.” –Jesse Wade Ivory, Ed.D. Assistant Vice President of Workforce, Innovation and College Partnerships
11 2023 Annual Report | oakton.edu 10 2023 Annual Report | oakton.edu
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