Joliet Junior College has been awarded a $525,000 federal grant to revitalize its manufacturing program and initiate a new robotics program.
The grant was one of 21 awarded to Illinois community colleges through the U.S. Department of Labor, which is attempting to foster innovative job training and manufacturing programs, according to a JJC news release.
The goal, JJC officials say, is to expand programs that prepare people for high-growth advanced manufacturing occupations, institute strategies to increase student success and implement strategies that ensure student completion.
“This is a statewide initiative, and JJC is excited to be one of the 21 participating colleges,” said Dan Kreidler, JJC dean of Community and Economic Development, in the news release.
“We will focus our efforts to work with those individuals that have lost their jobs due to them being moved overseas, veterans to reintegrate into the civilian workforce, and others individuals who are unemployed or underemployed who meet WIA eligibility requirements.”
The grants are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, initiated in 2009. The Trade Act of 1974 was amended to include Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant program, which awards the grants on behalf of the labor department.
The goal is to provide community colleges and other eligible higher education institutions with funds to expand and improve their ability to deliver education and career training programs that can be completed in two years or less, are suited for workers who are eligible for training under the TAA for Workers program, and prepare program participants for employment in high-wage, high-skill occupations.
For more information, call JJC Workforce Development Director Paige Vanderhyden at 815-280-1313.
For more information about the federal grant program, see the Department of Labor's press release.