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Programs
The Many Roads
to Success DVD
An 11-minute DVD highlighting careers in manufacturing,
health care, and transportation and logistics was created
in 2006. The DVD has been presented to incoming freshman,
parents, teachers and counselors. Educators suggested that
this is an opportune time for parents to learn of career paths
that are available in our communities. Many parents want their
children to attend college and are not aware of other employment
opportunities in our area that do not require a Bachelor’s
degree. This DVD may also be useful for educators and high
school guidance counselors who advise students on career paths.
JASON Project
The JASON Expedition, sponsored by ExxonMobil Joliet Refinery,
is now in its fifth year. More than 5,000 students have participated
since its inception and currently 20 teachers are using the
curriculum. This program allows students and teachers to explore
research locations via access to satellite and Internet technologies.
Programs include “The Mysteries of Earth and Mars,”
“Monster Storms” and “Wetlands.”
You will need Acrobat Reader to view this
file. If you do not have the reader, click here
to download.
JASON
Project
Career Talks
TREP assists teachers in securing speakers for their classrooms
and other events. The primary focus are programs that stress
the importance of work ethics, math, science and communications
skills and how these apply in the working world.
Resource Guide
The guide is a listing of K–12 classroom presentations
by professionals on a variety of subjects and career exploration
options. The offerings are aimed at reinforcing everyday classroom
learning. The Resource Guide is available on our web site
to TREP member schools.
Click here to
access the Resource Guide
Bringing Relevance
to the Student Course
During the summer educators have the opportunity to
participate in a Professional Development Alliance graduate
course through the University of St. Francis. TREP facilitates
tours to various businesses in order to provide educators
with an understanding of today’s competitive business
environment.
Process Technology
Initiative
TREP has responded to a request from the petrochemical,
chemical, and energy generating industries to address the
limited labor pool from which to draw Process Operations Technicians.
The industry is expecting to see significant numbers of retirements,
in the next five+ years and will need a “ready and able”
workforce to meet the future needs for skilled employees.
Math, science and communication skills have become an increasingly
more important attribute for the employees of the petrochemical
industry, allowing existing and new technologies to be applied
and effectively utilized.
The Joliet Junior College (JJC), in collaboration
with TRMA and area manufacturers, has introduced a Process
Technician's Associate degree program. This curriculum provides
strong training in math, science, communications skills and
process operations to students interested in pursuing a career
in this industry. Also, it affords manufacturers the ability
to selectively choose candidates that have demonstrated the
initiative and competence to acquire a significant portion
of the skills necessary to be successful in these industries.
These skills will not only assist local facilities in remaining
globally competitive, but should also ultimately reduce costs
and increase the overall quality of the
human resource candidate pool available.
Paralleling the marketing efforts of the Dream
It. Do It. campaign, TREP is coordinating a marketing campaign
to inform prospective job seekers, high school students, parents,
educators and the general public about careers in process
operations. The outstanding wages and benefits offered by
this industry along with the availability of openings brought
about by normal attrition, and the jobs skills required to
succeed in these jobs are the cornerstone of the marketing
message.
Dream It. Do
It.
TREP is assisting the Will County Center for Economic Development
(CED) in the implementation of the Dream It. Do It. campaign
in collaboration with the National Association of Manufacturers
(NAM) and regional coalitions of civic, political, educational
and business leaders, including the workforce system.
Most agree that U.S. businesses are facing
a threat as millions of skilled and experienced “baby
boomers” retire. In Will County we face the same danger.
The demographic reality is that we won’t have enough
new skilled workers to replace those that leave. In Will County
today, we have a skills gap – we have workers available,
but they lack the skills needed to successfully compete for
jobs in three important industry sectors: manufacturing; warehousing,
transportation and logistics; and the skilled trades.
The objectives of this multi-faceted campaign
are as follows:
1. To increase the quality and quantity of workers entering
these industry sectors
2. To make individuals aware of the positive careers opportunities
in these sectors-targeting 16 to 26 year old
3. To promote collaboration among educators and industry leaders
and all stakeholders leading to long-term Will County workforce
solutions
The situation becomes even more difficult
because few entry-level new workers are interested in working
in these industry sectors. The Dream It. Do It. campaign will
include launching a media awareness campaign, ensuring training
capacity, building support for targeted industry sectors and
creating local champions. This coordinated effort can both
change perceptions people have about these jobs and encourage
young adults to pursue these careers.
Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE) - World in Motion Project
This project makes the challenges of math and science exciting
and hands-on by bringing authentic engineering design experiences
into the classroom. The World in Motion program has four challenges
available that incorporate the laws of physics, motion, flight
and electronics. TREP has formed a partnership with Caterpillar
engineers that will assist students with their design.
Hands-On Science
This exciting approach to instill a love of science and learning
in students at a younger age has taught more than 5,000 children
in participating school districts. The Hands-On Science program
promotes the development of thinking, reasoning students who
are better prepared for the future workforce from which all
businesses will draw.
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