DeKalb County businesses are being sought to promote job opportunities at their companies and highlight careers in their industries for area students.
For the first time ever, local employers will be able to promote their companies to students as they consider careers and select education and training programs. This tool will be available to adults as they consider new careers and job opportunities.
Kishwaukee College has partnered with school districts in DeKalb and Ogle counties to make Kish Career Link career development software available to students. More than 4,000 students at these schools currently use this online program to identify careers and to outline education and training programs required to prepare for these occupations. Hundreds of job seekers also use the program to identify new careers options.
What’s been missing, but now can be made available, are local employment opportunities and company profiles to encourage career aspirants. By investing in the sponsorship of the Kish Career Link local employer module, DeKalb County businesses can promote careers at their firms and participate in a variety of career development activities to engage candidates. These activities can include: mentoring, guest speaking, company tours, job shadowing, internships and summer part-time employment.
The cost of this software license for businesses in the Kishwaukee College district is $25,000 per year. A three-year commitment is required. Rochelle area businesses in Ogle County have pledged $12,000. DeKalb County businesses need only pledge $13,000 per year for three years to secure this valuable workforce development outreach tool. Ideal Industries, KishHealth System, CST Storage and Driv-Lok have already agreed to support this program.
DeKalb County has seen recent growth in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution and health care. In addition, skilled workers in these industries will be approaching retirement in the coming years. To ensure that students and adults are prepared to fulfill these needs, Kishwaukee College has sponsored a student module for the past three years.
With students and job seekers now familiar with Career Cruising Kish Career Link, the time is right for employers to make students and job seekers aware of their business products and services and the exciting and rewarding careers available at their firms.
DCEDC will distribute sponsorship requests on behalf of Kish Career Link for the benefit of the DeKalb County business community. Interested companies can contact Michelle Allen at the Kishwaukee College Employment Resources Center at 815-825-2086, ext. 4080, or michelle.allen@kishwaukeecollege.edu.
• Paul Borek is executive director of DeKalb County Economic Development Corp.
