Kaskaskia College has been awarded a $258-thousand-dollar Innovative Bridge and Transitions grant from the Illinois Community College Board to provide career exploration and planning opportunities to youth in the KC District.
The goal of the grant is to serve a minimum of 100 unduplicated in-school and out-of-school youth from KC’s district to provide career exploration and workshops, career planning, employability skill development, work-based training, and program opportunities to enable a seamless transition to post-secondary programs at KC. Funds will also be used to reduce financial barriers students face and ease the transition to postsecondary programs.
KC Dean of Workforce Engagement and Industrial Careers Joy Fitts says KC is fortunate to be able to offer this opportunity to students who may be undecided about their future careers or who are interested in learning more about their career choices.
“These grant-funded workshops will allow students to explore how their strengths and talents align with different CTE careers well as provide an opportunity to learn new skills.”
As part of the grant, the college is hosting a series of Career Exploration Workshops during the summer. These hands-on workshops will provide students aged 16 – 24 with an opportunity to learn more about careers and possibly network with employers.
Criminal Justice Career Exploration
· Wednesday, June 7 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Kaskaskia College Main Campus
· Wednesday, June 14 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Kaskaskia College Vandalia Campus
Robotics Career Exploration
· Friday, June 9 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Kaskaskia College Trenton Education Center
· Friday, June 9 from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Kaskaskia College Trenton Education Center
Women in Welding Career Exploration
· Tuesday – Thursday, June 20-22 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at Kaskaskia College Crisp Center
Automotive Technology Career Exploration
· Tuesday, June 20 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Trenton Education Center
· Wednesday, July 12 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Nashville Education Center
Industrial Technology and Manufacturing Career Exploration – Made in Illinois
· Tuesday and Wednesday, June 21 and 22 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Kaskaskia College Crisp Technology Center
HVAC Career Exploration
· Monday and Tuesday, June 26 and 27 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Kaskaskia College Crisp Technology Center
Welding Career Exploration-Art of Welding
· Monday through Thursday, July 10-13 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Kaskaskia College Crisp Technology Center
Carpentry Career Exploration
· Tuesday, July 11 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Kaskaskia College Crisp Technology Center
Cosmetology Career Exploration
· Thursday, July 13 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on the Kaskaskia College Main Campus
KC is also hosting several Career Pathways Workshops for students to participate in a free two-day career exploration workshop. These workshops will expose students to various career paths through fun, engaging, and hands-on learning activities.
A career assessment will be completed to help students learn about how to use their talents to accomplish goals and explore career pathways. Upon completion, students will have a better understanding of themselves, their career interests, and how to choose an education pathway that will prepare them for their chosen profession.
One of those sessions with be at the Salem Education Center on Monday and Tuesday, July 17th and 18th, from nine am to one pm.
The rest of the schedule includes:
· Tuesday and Wednesday, June 20 & 21 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Trenton Education Center
· Monday and Tuesday, July 10 and 11 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Greenville Education Center
· Monday and Tuesday, July 24 and 25 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Nashville Education Center
AIMS program:
Funds will also be used to support workshop fees, class supplies, and tuition for the college’s new Aspirations in Manufacturing (AIM) program. AIM is a two-semester, 16-hour dual enrollment program and is open to all district high school juniors and seniors. AIM provides students with career exploration into the rapidly growing manufacturing industry. A mentor from the manufacturing industry will provide guidance and leadership in the program.
Advanced registration is required for the workshops. To learn more visit www.kaskaskia.edu/cew or contact the Department of Workforce Development and Community Education to register at 618-545-3255 or email ce@kaskaskia.edu
