29/07/2011

Career Cruising Network reaches students and job seekers in North Central Illinois

Joliet Junior College (JJC), together with its community partners in Will and Grundy Counties, IL, are turning to Career Cruising Network to help connect businesses with over 60,000 students and job seekers to meet the community’s workforce development needs.

Career Connects Will and Grundy, built on the Career Cruising Network platform, localizes the career and education planning process. Students and job seekers will benefit from knowing which occupations local businesses employ and from connecting with these employers for experiential learning opportunities such as job shadowing, internships, and company tours. Career planning students and adults will be able to tap into the knowledge and expertise of volunteer Career Coaches using online discussion board.

For local businesses, Career Connects Will and Grundy will provide the perfect venue for them to highlight themselves to the future workforce, while making a contribution to the community.

“Career Connects Will & Grundy will now make it possible for students and career seekers to connect with industry professionals in our local community to help bridge their understanding of the world of work” says Dan Kreidler “Joliet Junior College’s Dean of Community and Economic Development. “Local industry now has the tools to participate in developing the future workforce and is just one step in many that will help build Will and Grundy counties into thriving and prosperous communities.”

The program is administered by the Joliet Junior College Small Business Development Center, with funding from the Grundy County Foundation, the Will County Foundation, and Three Rivers Education and Employment System. Career Connects Will and Grundy is currently recruiting businesses to participate and will go live to students and job seekers in September.

About Career Cruising Network
Career Cruising Network brings together education and industry to help students achieve their goals and address communities' workforce development needs. Fully integrated with the Career Cruising guidance system, Network enhances the career exploration process for students and adult career researchers, while helping local employers and workforce development agencies shape the future workforce.

About Joliet Junior College
Joliet Junior College (JJC), the nation’s first public community college offers comprehensive programs for students planning to transfer to a four-year university as well as occupational education programs leading directly to employment. JJC also offers, adult education and literacy programs, workforce development services and a variety of student support services. The Community and Economic Development Division’s mission is to encourage local economic development by cultivating partnerships to provide comprehensive services to the Will and Grundy County workforce as well as community based organizations.