Building Workforce, Entrepreneurship and Partnerships
A new program is coming to Kankakee County high schools geared to strengthen the workforce, enhance the partnerships with employers and high schools, and help our community grow and prosper. KANKAKEE COUNTY CEO will kick off in four area high schools in August 2023.
In CEO a select class of students pulled from local high schools visit with employers to explore career opportunities and training, and learn central employability skills. During the second semester the students will collectively begin their own business, form a plan and put it into action. They will operate the business and share the profits amongst themselves. At the end of the year the students will attend a CEO trade show where schools from other regions participate to showcase their item / business.
The CEO program is spearheaded by the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship and is in more than 280 schools across the US. It has proven to help students enter the business world and with entrepreneurship. We are excited to launch this in Kankakee County to start the 2023 school year. Three local high schools are already committed including Bishop McNamara, Momence High School, St. Anne High School and Kankakee Trinity Academy.
Kankakee County CEO is currently looking for investors, mentors and partners to get this program off the ground. Learn more about how your business, or you as an individual can participate. Visit: https://www.midlandinstitute.com/our-community/what-is-ceo
Or, contact CEO Board Chairman John Keigher at johnkeigher@me.com, Nicole Smolkovich with the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley at 815-939-1611 or nicole@cfkrv.org
