Workforce Development

Together, Workforce Development and JJC are committed to encouraging local economic development. Through our partnerships, we provide helpful services to the Will and Grundy County communities.

Free Career Scholarships for Youth

Will County (Connect to Your Future Program)
Open to youth ages 18-24 who have earned their high school diploma or GED and meet income eligibility guidelines, this program provides occupational training in high growth, high demand occupations in Will County. Benefits include:

  • Assistance with tuition, fees and books
  • Gas cards and bus passes
  • Paid internships and on-the-job training
  • Employment assistance
  • Free NCRC certification

Apply to Connect to Your Future
For more information, call Jailen Jones at (815) 280-1520 or email jaijones@jjc.edu.

  • High Demand Occupations of Will County (Connect to Your Future Program)

    Healthcare

    • Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
    • Dental Assistants
    • Dental Hygienists
    • Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
    • Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
    • Licensed Practical Nurses
    • Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
    • Medical Assistants/Patient Care Technicians
    • Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
    • Medical Secretaries
    • Nursing Assistants/Healthcare Support Workers
    • Occupational Therapy Aides/Assistants
    • Radiological Technologists
    • Registered Nurses
    • Respiratory Therapists
    • Surgical Technologists
       

    Manufacturing

    • Chemical Plant Operators and Technicians
    • Chemical Technicians
    • Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators
    • Electrical and Electronic Technicians and Repairers
    • Industrial Machinery Mechanics
    • Machine Operators
    • Machinists
    • Maintenance Machinery Workers
    • Mechanical Drafters
    • Production, Planning, Expediting, Shipping, Receiving Clerks
    • Supervisors of Production, Mechanics, Operators and Repair Workers
    • Tool and Die Makers
    • Welders
       

    Professional/Financial/Information Technology

    • Accountants and Auditors
    • Bookkeeping, Accounting and Auditing Clerks
    • Computer and Information System Managers
    • Computer Network Architects
    • Computer Programmers
    • Computer System Analysts
    • Database Administrators
    • Information Security Analysts
    • Network and Computer Systems
    • Administrators/Specialists
    • Paralegals and Legal Assistants
    • Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
    • Software Developers, Systems Software
    • Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support
    • Workers
    • Tax Preparers
    • Web Developers
       

    Transportation/Distribution/Logistics (TDL)

    • Aircraft Mechanics
    • Automotive, Truck, Engine Mechanics and Specialists
    • Automotive Body Repairers
    • Billing and Posting/Order/Shipping-Receiving Clerks
    • Bus Drivers
    • Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
    • Transportation and Distribution Managers
    • Truck or Delivery Service Drivers
       

    Questions?

    For more information, call Jailen Jones at (815) 280-1520 or email jaijones@jjc.edu.

  • High Demand Occupations of Grundy County

    Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Careers

    Job TitleJob Openings (Grundy)Average Starting Hourly WageAverage Hourly Wage with Experience
    Automotive Technicians and Repairers14$11.13$35.81
    Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialist12$11.51$37.14
    Bus Drivers10$14.68$34.69
    Customer Service Representatives47$11.52$28.13
    Electricians14$19.88$52.54
    Dispatchers10$13.50$33.20
    Industrial Machinery Installation, Repair and Maintenance Workers10$12.05$42.74
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators and Forklift Operators29$15.21$30.34
    Laborers and Material Movers, Hand120$11.47$25.04
    Logisticians10$14.11$44.89
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants22$10.94$28.53
    Shipping, Receiving and Traffic Clerks24$12.86$27.59
    Supervisors of Transportation and Vehicle Operators15$16.43$41.88
    Truck Drivers105$15.59$37.09

    Healthcare

    Job TitleJob Openings (Grundy)Average Starting Hourly WageAverage Hourly Wage with Experience
    Dental Assistants10$13.06$23.42
    Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics10$11.29$51.39
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses10$19.46$32.85
    Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists10$12.66$35.50
    Medical Assistants10$12.17$21.88
    Medical Records and Health Information Technicians10$14.18$36.29
    Medical Secretaries10$12.37$22.63
    Nursing Assistants28$11.00$18.36
    Pharmacy Technicians10$11.40$21.81
    Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers20$16.97$47.41
    Surgical Technologists10$15.94$32.12
    Dental Hygienists10$25.03$43.45
    Diagnostic Medical Sonographers10$23.80$46.23
    Occupational Therapy Assistants10Insf. DataInsf. Data
    Physical Therapy Assistants10$18.73$38.71
    Radiologic Technologists10$19.72$39.66
    Registered Nurses36$23.59$46.06
    Respiratory Therapists Technicians and Healthcare Practitioner Support Technicians10$20.57$34.82
    Veterinary Technologists and Technicians10$12.10$26.58

    Professional Services, Finance and IT

    Job TitleJob Openings (Grundy)Average Starting Hourly WageAverage Hourly Wage with Experience
    Accountants and Auditors14$20.51$56.42
    Bookkeeping, Accounting and Auditing Clerks24$11.80$29.52
    Computer Network Architects10Insf. DataInsf. Data
    Computer Programmers10Insf. DataInsf. Data
    Computer System Analysts10$23.60$61.35
    Computer User Support Specialists10$13.54$37.17
    Database Administrators10Insf. DataInsf. Data
    Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants10$17.31$38.21
    Information Security Analysts10Insf. DataInsf. Data
    IT Project Managers10$40.15$127.54
    Network and Computer Systems Administrators10$24.79$57.71
    Office Clerks58$9.25$28.06
    Paralegal and Legal Assistants10$16.49$37.98
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants22$10.94$28.53
    Supervisors of Personal Service Workers10Insf. DataInsf. Data
    Web Developers10Insf. DataInsf. Data
    Computer and Information System Managers10$40.15$127.54
    Computer Network Support Specialists10$18.16$44.52
    Software Developers10$28.07$68.87
    Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers20$16.97$47.41

    Manufacturing

    Job TitleJob Openings (Grundy)Average Starting Hourly WageAverage Hourly Wage with Experience
    Chemical Plant and System Operators10$21.78$57.21
    Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators10Insf. DataInsf. Data
    Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers10Insf. DataInsf. Data
    Electrician14$19.88$52.54
    Industrial Machinery Mechanics13$17.69$42.78
    Industrial Machinery Installation, Repair and Maintenance Workers17$17.70$42.95
    Machinists10$11.60$29.63
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants22$10.94$28.53
    Tool and Die Makers10Insf. DataInsf. Data
    Welders10$12.99$29.85
    Industrial Engineering Technicians10Insf. DataInsf. Data
    Maintenance Workers, Machinery10$16.29$38.55
    Quality Control Technicians14$11.59$30.55
    Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers17$17.94$47.40

     

Grundy County (My Future Youth Program)
Assisting youth ages 18-24 who are working toward their High School Equivalency or seeking to enroll in occupational training and meet income eligibility guidelines, this program places individuals in paid-internship opportunities at local Grundy County businesses and organizations. Services include: 

  • FREE occupational skills training, career assessments, one-on-one and small group mentoring, academic advising, work readiness workshops and placement into employment
  • Career scholarships are available to Will and Grundy County residents who meet Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) eligibility guidelines

For more information on the Grundy youth program, call (815) 280-6822 or email grundyworkforce@jjc.edu.

Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program

Assisting students and community members 18+ living within equity investment areas and/or facing barriers to employment to enroll in clean energy training. Services include: 

  • FREE clean energy training provided through the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act
  • Stipends to offer support while enrolled in training
  • Work-Based Learning opportunities
  • Barrier reduction services, including wrap-around services, student support services, and transition services.
  • Employment Readiness training 

Apply to the CEJA Workforce Program

Job-Specific Clean Energy Trainings: 

  • Electric Vehicle Technician
  • EV Charging Station Installation
  • Residential Energy Auditor

For more information, please contact Monica Barefield at monica.barefield@jjc.edu or 815-280-1218, or Lauren Kmetz-Weisman at lauren.kmetz@jjc.edu at 815-280-6824.

Are you an employer looking to partner with the CEJA team? Please contact Thom Blain at thomas.blain@jjc.edu or 815-280-1415.

Business Services (Grundy County)

Grundy Workforce Services provides job search and career services at no cost to job seekers in Grundy County. Our goal is to assist you so that you can find self-sufficient employment. 

Learn More About Grundy Workforce Services

Questions about JJC Workforce Development?

Contact Us Now

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Programs & Services

  • Assessments

    Paraprofessionals (Teacher's Assistant)

    WorkKeys® Proficiency Certificate for Teacher Assistants for paraprofessional certification to fulfill the Illinois State Board of Education and federal "No Child Left Behind" requirements. The two WorkKeys® Assessments that are required for the Paraprofessional certificate are: Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics.

    The following scores are required on the tests:

    • Reading for Information - 4, measures the skill individuals use then they read and use written text in order to do a job.
    • Applied Mathematics - 4, measure the skill individuals use when they apply mathematical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving techniques to work-related problems.

    Individuals looking for more information on the Paraprofessional Certificate can visit the Illinois State Board of Education website, or contact directly:

    Will County:
    Lynn Svetlecich
    (815) 280-1526
    lsvetlec@jjc.edu

    Castle Worldwide Testing Center

    Joliet: (815) 280-1526

    Workforce Development is a testing facility for Castle Worldwide. Castle administers professional certifications and licensing exams for a wide variety of professional associations and government agencies. Many of the exams are related to healthcare, business, safety, and design.

    Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Assessment (MBTI)

    $40 (assessment only)/ $75 (one-on-one session)

    The MBTI will identify personality strengths and unique talents. It will help you better understand yourself, your motivations, and your potential areas for growth and career options, as well as how you interact with others.

    For more information or to sign up to take the assessment contact (815) 280-1526 or email lsvetlec@jjc.edu.

     

    Strong Interest Inventory® Assessment

    $25 (assessment only)/ $75 (one-on-one session)

    The Strong helps you better understand your interests and match those interests with work, career options or leisure activities. You will discover your interests, preferences, and personal style – exactly the information you need to select a major or choose a career you can be passionate about.

    For more information or to sign up to take the assessment contact (815) 280-1526 or email lsvetlec@jjc.edu.

     

    StrengthsQuest™ Assessment

    $25 (assessment only)/ $75 (one-on-one session)

    StrengthsQuest can help you thrive in your academic career by showing you how you can leverage your talents to approach your coursework through a focus on what you naturally do well. It provides valuable information about who you are and gives you clues to the type of work environment in which you are most likely to thrive.

    For more information or to sign up to take the assessment contact (815) 280-1526 or email lsvetlec@jjc.edu.

     

    WorkKeys | National Career Readiness Certificate | CareerReady101/KeyTrain (PDF)

  • Community Resources

    State Government


    Labor Market and Training Information


    Other Helpful Links


    Job Search and Career Information

  • Career Scholarships (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act)

    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

    What is WIOA?

    This Act provides financial assistance for education and training so that individuals can re-enter the workforce in jobs that will allow them to financially support themselves and their families. WIOA funding is designed to train people in short-term certificate or associates degree programs that will make them more marketable for occupations that are in high growth within the local area. By training the workforce in these high growth areas, workers are more likely to find better paying jobs and employers are more likely to have their staffing needs fulfilled.

    View the complete list of approved training program at Joliet Junior College and click on Consumer Info.

    Eligibility for Funding

    Training and education programs are provided through Joliet Junior College as well as other community colleges and private training institutions.

    Training Eligibility

    Recognize yourself in any of these scenarios? You may be eligible if you:

    • Were laid-off, downsized, or company went out of business
    • Unemployed and struggling to find a job
    • Job searching for a long time with little or no results
    • Underpaid, underemployed or under trained
    • Your education or skills don’t match your career interest
    • Self-employed for many years and now faced with looking for new employment
    • Youth ages 18-24 years and in need of education or training beyond high school

    WIOA Training funding is available to those who are determined eligible. To find out more about eligibility requirements for training funding you can contact:

    Will County: 

    Adults over 24 years of age can contact Workforce Services Division of Will County at (815) 727-4444 or visit www.jobs4people.org.

    For youth up to and including age 24 contact (815) 280-1520.

    Grundy County: 

    Please call Grundy Workforce Services at (815) 280-6822.

  • Youth/GED Program

    Career Certified

    Career Certified addresses: soft skills; leadership skills; and cognitive skills so adults alike have the foundational skills to be prosperous. Work readiness includes specific work-related skills that adults need in order to be successful in the workplace. These skills are generally thought of as life skills with a strong work focus, including areas such as: work-related health and safety, work habits and conduct; personal leadership at work; communicating with others; team work and collaboration at work; rights and responsibilities of workers and employers; and customer service.

    To enhance training, personal assessments will be utilized throughout the programs. Personal assessments have proven to be an effective tool for improving the management of an organization and helping employees identify strengths and areas of opportunity. They provide an accurate analysis of employee's behaviors and attitudes otherwise left to subjective judgment. This analysis is essential to gain a competitive advantage in today's tight job market. Relevant personal assessments for youth and adult programs will include the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Talent, Fit, Performance, StrengthsQuest and Strong.

    In addition to soft skills, the work readiness program will assess foundational skills such as: Reading for Information; Applied Mathematics; Business Writing; and Locating Information. Curriculum will incorporate preparation for ACT, Inc.’s National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) Plus and administering WorkKeys® assessments. The NCRC Plus is an ideal tool for ensuring that individuals have the essential skills they need for the workplace today while earning a national portable certification. These tough economic times call for clear pathways to skills in demand to help new and transitioning workers prepare for good jobs.

    My Future

    The My Future program offers Grundy County youth ages 16-24 continuous support through career guidance, employment, and internship opportunities, GED support and vocational training. Participants will receive training and services leading to self-sufficiency. My Future is funded under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Grundy Livingston Kankakee Workforce Board. No cost to Grundy County eligible youth. Find out more by contacting the Morris Education Center at 815-280-6822.