Career Event Launched for Will and Grundy Counties
JJC using technology to connect businesses with the community
Preparing people for careers in Illinois is a challenge when unemployment is at 9.1 percent. Nevertheless, Joliet Junior College (JJC) is partnering with other groups in both Will and Grundy County, to offer students and job seekers of all ages a contemporary way to connect with the business community.
This new initiative is a technology-based program called Career Connects Will And Grundy and was officially launched at a JJC breakfast meeting on Friday, April 29. Participants included people from the Joliet Housing Authority, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), Hollywood Casino, Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell, Local 176, Three Rivers Education Partnership, the Workforce Investment Board, and more.
After supportive opening remarks by JJC President, Gena Proulx, Will County Executive, Larry Walsh talked about the benefits of the Career Connects Will and Grundy program to the community. He said that this new program would help men and women be prepared to meet the demands of an ever-changing world.
"I applaud JJC," said Walsh, "for putting together the program. They have always been innovative in helping students be prepared to find jobs."
Career Connects Will and Grundy is an online tool produced by the Career Cruising, an interactive career resource that connects students and job seekers with businesses through a virtual environment. "With the technology we have, shame on us if we don’t work with that technology," said Walsh.
The program allows students and job seekers of all ages to connect with local businesses and industry professionals. Steve Yaun from Career Cruising explained how students could create their own career portfolios, learn more about businesses through their online profiles, participate in experiential learning opportunities (job shadowing, internships, company tours), and ask business professionals (career coaches) questions on a career discussion board. By bringing together both groups, the program bridges the gap in connecting students and job seekers who want to learn more abut their career options with the needs of local businesses.
The benefits are not just for the students and job seekers. Businesses benefit as well. As Caroline Portlock of the Grundy County Chamber expressed in her remarks, “It increases your company’s visibility in your community and highlights your company’s involvement."
Portlock also mentioned that this program allows companies to connect with local job seekers and that it will only be successful, "if businesses get involved."
JJC Career Cruising Specialists Tammy Tschida and Jeremy J. Ly told attendees that training is available to help businesses get started with the program. They also mentioned the efforts being made by JJC and its partners to broaden the relationship between businesses and the community through education.
"Let's come together to make sure that Will and Grundy Counties are the best places to work," said Ly.
Other partners with JJC include the University of St. Francis, Community Foundation of Grundy County, Three Rivers Education Partnership, Workforce Board of Grundy, Livingston, and Kankakee, and the Will County Workforce Investment Board.
Dan Kreidler, JJC's dean of Community and Economic Development, facilitated the event.
For more information about the Career Connects program for Will County, call Tammy Tschida at (815) 280-1501, or e-mail her at ttschida@jjc.edu.
People in Grundy County can contact Jeremy Ly at (815) 942-0566, or e-mail him at jly@jjc.edu.
To access the Career Connects information on the JJC website, visitors can go to www.jjc.edu/info/career-connects.