February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and Kishwaukee College joined community colleges across the state to celebrate its role in preparing the workforce for in-demand jobs. CTE programs offered at community colleges provide students with hands-on training and real-world experience in multiple industries, including health sciences, manufacturing, technology and more.
Kish adapts its CTE programs to meet local workforce demands. Kish's programs offer flexible scheduling, work-based learning and stackable credentials that provide a pathway from education to employment. The College models its courses based on community needs, providing students with the opportunity to pursue in-demand careers. In 2023, 70% of Kish CTE graduates were employed in a related field, and 93.6% of graduates were employed within the state of Illinois, according to technical graduate surveys.
CTE programs at Kish and Illinois community colleges offer a cost-effective way for individuals to pursue career goals at a fraction of the tuition of four-year institutions.
"Illinois community colleges are a leading workforce developer in the state and are continuing to expand access and opportunities to dozens of good paying careers," said Brian Durham, Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board. "CTE programs at community colleges are an essential part of our state's workforce development strategy, and we are proud to be a part of preparing the next generation of workers."
Statewide, nearly 37,500 students graduated from more than 4,600 approved CTE certificate and degree programs offered by Illinois community colleges in 2023.
The National Skills Coalition says nearly two-thirds of jobs in the U.S. economy require education beyond high school but not a four-year college degree. Many of these jobs are in CTE fields like health care, advanced manufacturing, and information technology, which are among the fastest-growing occupations projected through 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For more information on CTE programs at Kish, visit www.kish.edu/cte.