It’s about how the 8th District congresswoman got $387,187 for job training in McHenry County. The release came from the county’s public information officer, however, not from Melissa Bean’s office. Forty-nine individuals will benefit from the program.
As I reflect on the release’s contents, I wonder why the intervention of a congresswoman was necessary. If a program like this is available, shouldn’t the quality of the application have been enough to obtain it?
The release follows:
Congresswoman Bean secures funding for Job Training
WOODSTOCK, IL – Congresswoman Melissa Bean recently obtained a $387,187 in funding for the McHenry County College (MCC) Flexible and Sustainable Training (F.A.S.T.) program. The program is the result of a partnership between
- McHenry County,
- the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation,
- the McHenry County Workforce Network,
- McHenry County Workforce Board, and
- MCC
for workforce training. The training will provide employer-identified, short-term occupational training needs in the specific fields of
- Basic Manufacturing,
- Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) Machining and
- Bilingual Nurse Assistance (BNA).
MCC recently launched the Basic Manufacturing course and plans to follow with CNC Machining later this year and the BNA training next spring. Program funds cover the cost of training, so there is no fee for qualified participants.
Melissa Bean
“These types of workforce development initiatives are critical to retooling the skills of our workforce to the challenges of our 21st century economy. I commend the leadership of McHenry County for their commitment to improving the employment prospects of their families and businesses,” stated Congresswoman Melissa Bean, who obtained the funding for this program.
The F.A.S.T. program plans to have two cohort groups of 25 participants for Basic Manufacturing and as of February 9, 35 students had enrolled in the Basic Manufacturing course. The Basic Manufacturing class is a 96-hour, 16-week non-credit class that covers
- shop math,
- mechanical blueprint reading,
- measurement, and
- shop safety.
Besides the class, program participants will also be able to work toward a National Career Readiness Certificate, demonstrating to employers the competency level in reading and math.
They will also improve their resume writing and interviewing skills through various workshops and work with the McHenry County Workforce Network to assist them in finding positions in their new field upon completion of the course.
The program funds will also cover 24 participants in CNC and 25 participants in bilingual training for basic nurse assistance. Participants in these programs will also work with Workforce Network staff on job search activities.