I-KAN and Coalition for Hope & Excellence in Education Offer 2016 “Tour the Local Industries” Course for Educators

KANKAKEE, IL – March 24, 2016 – Continuing the effort to build awareness about Kankakee County’s available job opportunities and associated career pathways, the Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education (I-KAN) is providing local educators the 2016 “Tour the Local Industries” professional development course on Tuesday, May 10.
 
During the course, educators will travel to leading industrial sites for presentations on the companies, their products and processes, positions currently available with average salaries, and future workforce needs. Participating local companies include CSL Behring, Sears Logistics and FASTSIGNS of Kankakee.
 
The event, offered in partnership with the Coalition for Hope & Excellence in Education (CHEE), will provide educators with a unique and valuable look into advanced manufacturing and business, with the goal of preparing those educators to share local career opportunities and pathways with their students. The course, a companion to CHEE’s comprehensive workforce readiness website workkankakee.org, is being facilitated by Susette Cole, CHEE project manager.
 
“One of the ultimate outcomes of a quality education,” explained CHEE Executive Director Dr. Susan Emmerich “is a workforce with skills that are well aligned with the needs of today’s business community.”
I-KAN Regional Superintendent Dr. Gregg Murphy added, “The I-KAN office and our course partners recognize that awareness among our educators of the breadth and depth of local career opportunities is the very first step in meeting our shared goal of preparing a dynamic and skilled future workforce.”
 
Inquiries about the course may be directed to Dr. Emmerich, susan.emmerich@gmail.com or 708.717.4648; or the I-KAN office, 815.937.2950.
 
A collaborative initiative directed by Dr. Susan Emmerich and chaired by Kankakee Community College President Dr. John Avendano, the CHEE is tasked with preparing a college and career-ready, skilled workforce, and increasing student persistence and graduation rates in Kankakee County. This workforce imperative was identified and codified as a high priority in Kankakee County’s 2014-19 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), which was certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration in April 2014. The Economic Alliance of Kankakee County and Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley administer the CHEE.
 
The Economic Alliance of Kankakee County is a public-private partnership that works to create jobs and expand the economic base by improving the local business climate. Working under Kankakee County’s 2014-19 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), the Alliance is challenged to help spur $500 million in new business investment and 500 new jobs, along with assisting 150 prospective new businesses. For more information, visit kankakeecountyed.org or phone 815.935.1177.