Tom Couch, reminded us this week of the valuable resource that is the Kishwaukee Education Consortium, for whom he serves as Executive Director. KEC serves as a "career center" of sorts for students in northern part of DeKalb County, partnering with nearly two dozen school districts, community colleges, and 4-year institutions to offer alternative education and trade programs. Not to be confused with Kishwaukee Community College (though based there), KEC programs provide alternative education to about 500 students (as young as middle school) as well as training on the trades to many others.
The trade programs provide students the opportunity to earn anywhere from 3 to 33 college credits each. Traditional trades are offered, but so is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program as well as an aviation program based at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport. KEC used to have an active construction trade program, which built and sold a house each year. However, the program concluded in 2008 (after 33 years), a year when the economy made selling their freshly-built home very difficult (but they got it done). KEC also supports school districts with a partnership to offer a New Teacher Academy and an Early Childhood Academy. Most programs include opportunities for job shadowing and/or internships as well.
A tiny house program is possible for the future, and would likely incorporate several trades (construction, electrical, plumbing, etc.).
The primary sources of revenue for Kishwaukee Education Consortium are Perkins Grants and CTI, but school districts also pay tuition for their students to participate.
If you have a business in need of additional workforce support, reach out to Tom to see how he might be able to help!