JJC Blog

Perhaps you’ve heard the term “essential worker” during this pandemic? These employees perform work that is deemed essential to the viability of the company for whom they work and individuals they serve. Such roles have helped a lot of workers maintain their jobs amid a challenging labor market brought on by the pandemic.

JJC Workforce Development, with offices at the college’s City Center and Morris Education Center campuses, is committed to producing essential workers throughout Will and Grundy counties. Its team encourages local economic development by cultivating partnerships to provide comprehensive services to the local workforce. As you’re preparing to reenter the workforce or want to strengthen your marketability for employers, here are five things to know about JJC Workforce Development.

Chefs in Joliet Junior College’s Culinary Arts Department are so experienced that they could whip up just about anything. From fancy holiday meals to easy drinks you can enjoy poolside, there isn’t a bad thing on the menu. And these days, you owe it to yourself for a fun activity and a little relaxation. Besides, there are plenty of warm days still ahead of us.  

While Joliet Junior College classes are primarily online for the fall 2020 semester, student service offices will be available on campus beginning Aug. 3. The changes, which come five months after JJC closed its campuses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, occur as employees begin staggered schedules to support social distancing requirements. Remote student services will remain available during the fall and are encouraged. If you need to visit an office on campus, please schedule an appointment so we can prepare for your visit.

These safety measures, along with several others recently implemented at JJC, are in accordance with CDC guidelines and Phase 4 of the state’s Restore Illinois plan. As students, employees and visitors come onto JJC’s campuses, it’s important you understand the new safety procedures in place, and what will be expected of you upon arrival. For starters, watch our video introducing you to JJC’s on-campus safety features and best practices. Then check out the additional information below for a comprehensive look at how JJC is committed to your safety during this time.

Check out additional guidelines below. For answers to common questions on JJC operations, visit our COVID-19 FAQ page.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created the highest American unemployment rate since the 1940s, with a record 3.3 million people filing for unemployment. Since the job market has changed dramatically and jobs deemed essential such as those in healthcare, supply chain and IT are in high demand, some people may be considering a career change.  

Joliet Junior College faculty and staff are committed to ensuring students have the right resources to succeed. In the months since JJC switched to online learning and remote services amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot has been learned on how to best work and learn from home. We shared many of our professor’s unique remote teaching methods in a previous blog.

Fall classes at JJC begin Aug. 17, with lecture classes online and face-to-face labs if the state remains in Phase 4 of its Restore Illinois plan. Whether you’re already enrolled for the fall semester or still considering your options, know that remote learning will continue to be common for some time. Consider these tips from JJC faculty and students to get the most out of the online learning experience.

Sure, the stores are now stocked with a variety of face masks that help protect us amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That doesn’t mean you can’t still create your own, especially if you’re looking to fill any free time this summer with some new projects.

Need a blueprint to follow? Students in JJC’s costume class, under the direction of Fine Arts Professor Julie Giampaolo, not only sewed their own masks from home this spring as part of remote course work, but donated them to community members! Over 500 masks were distributed to eight different medical facilities, as well as to JJC employees and students.

Whether you’re sewing by hand or using a machine, you can create your own mask with some fabric, thread, and by following these steps.

Cure your summer boredom by taking a non-credit class at JJC! JJC's continuing education courses are fun and a great way to pick up a new hobby or skill, plus there’s no pressure to get a good grade. These classes, which are open to both students and community members of all ages, cover a wide range of topics including local history, photography, finance, gardening and more. Since JJC’s physical campus is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these courses will all be held online.  

Joliet Junior College launches its fall semester on Monday, Aug. 17. While we’d love to have returned to normal operations by this time, the college will continue to provide most of its services remotely amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. That includes offering all fall lecture courses online. However, students taking lab courses may be able to do these in person on our campus should conditions be safe for doing so.

Below, we answer many of the common questions the college is receiving at this time, including how to navigate the registration process, steps to complete once you’ve registered, and what to expect when classes start.

At JJC, it’s Your College. Your Journey.

Summer weather is finally here! You’ve likely been spending a lot more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are anxious to get outside, spend time with your friends and family and take a break from your summer courses. While gatherings of 10 or less people are now permitted, we still need to be mindful of COVID-19 preventative measures still in place.  

Over 1,400 classes. That’s how many were transferred online in just two weeks as Joliet Junior College quickly moved to provide a safe environment for learning and teaching as the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact Illinois in mid-March. The process brought with it a lot of adaptation among JJC professors and creative modifications in order to provide the best learning methods possible for their students.

Many of these processes will continue this summer, as JJC continues online only learning. In the fall, all lecture courses will be held online, while in-person labs may be possible should conditions be safe for doing so. Let’s look back on how our professors modified their courses for online, methods that will only improve as the college continues remote course work.