City Colleges of Chicago is offering tuition-free training in high-demand fields for eligible students through Workforce Equity Initiative grants from the Illinois Community College Board and Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.

The grant funds will be used to offer students from low-income communities opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials at no cost. Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Olive-Harvey College, Malcolm X College, and Wilbur Wright College received the state funds.

“We are grateful for the support of ICCB and the Illinois’ Legislative Black Caucus that is helping us create greater access and equitable outcomes for students across Chicago communities,” said City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado.

Eligible students can enroll in any one of the areas of study below and receive supportive services in addition to free tuition. Services and program specifics may vary by college, but generally include:

· Full tuition coverage throughout the duration of your studies
· Job training and skills development
· Childcare and transportation assistance
· Employability skills (collaboration, communication, problem-solving) development
· Job placement assistance

Kennedy-King College
At Kennedy-King College, qualifying students can enroll in tuition-free programs in the fields of automotive technology, construction technology, and cyber security and receive help finding a fulfilling job in less than one year through its WEI Scholars program.

Malcolm X College
Malcolm X College’s Project MPACT is offering a full-tuition scholarship program for qualified students interested in pursuing a career in health care. In addition to tuition, the program provides stipends, job training, and professional skills development to assist in job placement for students completing one of seven basic certificate programs.

Olive-Harvey College
Chicagoans looking to advance their career in the new year should consider a short-term transportation, distribution, and logistics program at Olive-Harvey College. Through the college’s Project Evolve scholarship, qualified students can earn a basic certificate for free and become job-ready in three semesters or less.

Richard J. Daley College
At Daley, students will receive training in manufacturing, targeting key in demand occupations including CNC operator and programmer, welding, and industrial maintenance. Students will gain industry recognized certificates from organizations such as NC3, National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS), Manufacturing Skills Standards (MSSC), Amatrol, and the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA).

Wilbur Wright College
Chicagoans interested in pursuing careers in the high-demand fields of information technology, advanced manufacturing, public safety, clean energy, and legal cannabis industries should consider applying to Wright College’s JobHire tuition-free scholarship program in the new year.

To learn more about the programs and eligibility, go online at: www.ccc.edu/wei or call 773-COLLEGE.