JJC Blog

Illinois community colleges play an important role in supporting economic growth and placing students in high-demand jobs. A new statewide report found that the highest job vacancies are occurring in healthcare and engineering, due to industry growth, attrition and retirements.

JJC is continuing to support the current and future needs of the workforce through a variety of new and existing academic programs. Here are four JJC programs that will train you for in-demand careers.

As part of a three-year grant, Joliet Junior College is supporting local businesses and students by growing the number of registered apprenticeships. The $140,000 grant from the American Association of Community Colleges, with funding from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), aims to create 150 apprentices.  

The coronavirus pandemic has affected employment in nearly every industry, some more than others. Fields like healthcare and technology are thriving, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting that jobs in these areas will increase from now through 2029. However, healthcare and technology aren’t the only fields that are seeing success, many business fields are expected to grow as well.  

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.

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.  

JJC’s newest program, medical assisting, begins in spring 2020. The need for medical assistants is in high demand with an aging baby-boom generation in need of preventative care.  

Want a career that's off the beaten path?

JJC offers more than 180 degrees and certificates - including some fascinating fields of study to choose from! Our list below includes five unique careers that only require a JJC degree. Take a look!

What is Career-Based Education?
JJC, other community colleges and trade schools offer a number of degrees, certificates and programs that are considered career-based education (or just "career education"). What do these programs have in common? They all aim to get students into the workforce immediately after they graduate. Many of these programs are technical-focused, like automotive service technology or welding, but many are not, like diagnostic medical sonography or radiologic technology. 

Why Career-Based Education is Thriving
It's no secret that career-based education is thriving. Many of the career paths you can study for are in need of more employees (in part due to a retiring workforce for some fields). Several industries pay their staff well and because students can get training for these jobs at community colleges and trade schools in two years or less, it's both a popular and affordable way to start a new career.

Check out our list below to see five careers you can study for at JJC, or browse our A to Z index for more career-based education fields.

Thinking about your future career? Consider career education. These jobs are on the rise in the Joliet region, and we've compiled a list of the most in-demand positions you can obtain with only an associate degree. Check them out below!

All information was pulled from the EMSI data set for the Joliet region. 

Please Note: This article was published in 2017.

Not sure about your major? No sweat! 20 to 50 percent of students are undecided when they start college, and up to 75 percent end up changing their major. But while it's perfectly OK not knowing where you see yourself post-graduation just yet, it's also important to start weighing your interests and career options now.

JJC offers more than 180 degree and certificate programs (click here to see them all). If you're looking for a job you know will be relevant after you graduate, take a look at our list of up-and-coming fields and the careers you can land with a degree in each field.

Not enrolled at JJC? Apply here.