Watch how workNet DuPage and Edward-Elmhurst Health teamed up to advance employee careers
January 27, 2020
Faced with record low unemployment levels in DuPage County and a rising need for Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA), Edward-Elmhurst Health and workNet DuPage banded together to upskill eligible entry-level staff in food, housekeeping, and laundry services. A cohort of employees, seeking to advance their careers, obtained CNA training at the College of DuPage, promoting them to a newly assigned role - Patient Care Technician. As an added bonus, workNet DuPage covered all tuition costs.
“My passion was always helping people, but I never knew I was able to do something like this.” –Yuri Dia
“Becoming a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) has definitely changed the direction of my career. It’s a foot in the door.” – Yerty Jurado
These moving testimonials are showcased in a new video jointly created by Edward-Elmhurst Health and workNet DuPage. The short clip illustrates the transformative power of partnerships between business and workforce development agencies and also captures the life-changing impact of a job training program recently made available to Yuri and Yerty and other Edward-Elmhurst Health employees.
This initiative, filling a critical need for more Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) and Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs), is part of workNet DuPage’s broader campaign to navigate unemployed and underemployed residents towards in-demand career paths.
Last year, workNet DuPage awarded local employers, including Edward-Elmhurst Health, a total of nearly $400,000 in Incumbent Worker training grants – an unprecedented amount – to ensure the County’s workforce remained competitive.
20 local companies received grant funding dollars to build existing employees’ job skills. With employers in the driver's seat, companies met new demands, boosted productivity, and averted downsizing with customized training solutions. 643 IT, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics workers acquired new skills.
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If you are an employer in DuPage County, workNet DuPage can help you train, attract, and retain a strong workforce. Call 630.955.2037.
Peek Inside: At this location, we offer our customers a wide range of manufacturing capabilities, from CNC machining all the way to complete product assembly and fulfillment.
Fun fact about our company: a robot works right alongside our machinists to produce parts with quality and efficiency!
You would like to work at our company if
you are interested in the wide range of evolving technologies, processes and creativity that go into the world of modern manufacturing.
In the next year, we expect to hire CNC machinists
To get that job, you typically need a high school diploma and vocational or technical training in machining. We offer additional on-the-job training once a new machinist with the foundational skills and experience joins the team so they can continue to master their craft.
Our best machinists have: a passion about the art and science that goes into taking a raw piece of metal or plastic and forming it into a high-precision design.
CNC Machinists From this position, you could grow into
Master Machinist
Machining Business Manager
Owner of your own machining business
In the next year, we expect to hire Assembly Operators
To get that job, you typically need a high school diploma, a mechanical aptitude and a willingness to learn and closely follow processes and work instructions.
Our best assembly operators are eager learners and pay attention to details. They enjoy working on different types of mechanical work every day.
Assembly Operators From this position, you could grow into
lead operator
supervisor
manufacturing manager
FEATURED ORGANIZATION:
Company Name: The Jel Sert Company
DuPage Location: West Chicago, IL
Total number of employees in DuPage: 900 during peak season
Peek Inside
The Jel Sert Company is a leading manufacturer of food and beverage products. For the past 20 years, our team has been dedicated to establishing an exemplary manufacturing infrastructure that supports the needs of some of the world’s largest Consumer Packaged Goods and pharmaceutical companies.
Jel Sert is committed to providing employees with development opportunities as we are invested in their long term success and advancement within the organization. An individual development plan assists employees in career and personal development and allows employees to reach short and long term career goals.
You would like to work at our company because
We are committed to attracting the best talent and developing our employees to exceed their potential. Our employees take pride in their work and are always looking for ways to contribute their ideas, skills, experience, and passion. We reward and value creativity, professionalism, teamwork, honesty, and longevity.
In the next year, we expect to hire 2-3 technicians
To get this job, you typically need a Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with electrical, hydraulics, programming, and mechanical PLCs is required.
We pay $2.00 per hour shift differential for all time worked on 3rd shift. *Rate of pay depends on one’s experience, education, and skills.
Our best technicians have: Strong mechanical and electrical skills Additionally, someone that takes pride in their work, is honest, creative in their ideas, and works as a professional in a team environment.
All Technicians are sent to College of DuPage for classes. Technicians are scheduled for a series of six mechanical and six electrical classes. Classes are during work hours, so Technicians are paid for their time in class. We adjust their hours to spend half their shift on the floor and the balance in the class. Jel Sert pays for this training which includes classroom and lab work. All Technicians are involved in this training despite their experience level.
TECHNICIAN
From this position, you could grow into
