DeKalb County affords numerous comprehensive workforce development services and has initiated career development programs to recruit and train workers for current and future jobs.
Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC)
The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) offers a diverse array of educational and workforce development resources. From workshops, events, blogs, whitepapers, and more. IMEC keeps your workforce up-to-date on the latest and greatest in manufacturing. Visit and browse their website to see how IMEC can help your firm today.
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University (NIU) located in DeKalb, is a prominent economic engine in DeKalb County. NIU’s economic impact on the northern Illinois region is estimated to be $895 million. The university routinely partners with industry and national laboratories on cutting-edge research and product development.
The National Safety Education Center (NSEC) at Northern Illinois University is one of 26 OSHA Training Institute Education Centers in the nation. These education centers are a national network of non-profit organizations authorized by OSHA to deliver occupational safety and health training to public and private sector workers, supervisors and employers. This consortium, which consists of Northern Illinois University and the Construction Safety Council, offers the best hands-on safety training with OSHA training locations in OSHA’s Region 5. Check out the course schedules.
Learn more about the current free, grant funded, mental health and suicide prevention courses available here.
NIU Career Services professionals actively guide students in securing internships and job placements with local businesses, and in enhancing their work experience through the Job PLUS Program.
NIU Quick Facts
NIU Regional Campuses
Colleges, Schools, & Departments
Kishwaukee College
Kishwaukee College (KC) is a two-year community college located approximately five miles west of DeKalb in Malta. KC offers five transfer degrees as well as occupational degrees and certificates. KC assists students with internships and job placement while providing businesses with a well-prepared and capable talent pool.
KC also works with the Kane County Office of Community Reinvestment to offer job skills training services through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Visit the Kishwaukee College Business Community Information website for offerings, to help the business community’s changing needs.
About Kishwaukee College
Academic Divisions
Career Technologies
Adult Education & Transition Programs
ComEd
ComEd offers career training and education opportunities — more information at their Career Training website.
Kishwaukee Education Consortium
The Kishwaukee Education Consortium (KEC), located on the KC Campus in Malta, offers career and technical classes to more than 450 junior and senior high students, with dual credit available for no charge to students in 17 different award-winning classes. Classes include Automated Engineering Technology, Building Trades, Computer Information Systems, Diesel Power, Mass Communications, and Welding.
Current KEC Partners include DeKalb CUSD #428, Genoa-Kingston CUSD #424, Hiawatha CUSD #426, Sycamore CUSD #427, Rochelle CUSD #231, Kishwaukee College, Northern Illinois University, Rock Valley College, Waubonsee Community College
Illinois Area Health Education Centers (AHEC)
For students pursuing careers in healthcare, AHEC offers numerous resources for students, including scholarship programs, career advising, job shadowing, field placements, and workshops. DeKalb County is part of the Northeast region with its office located on the NIU Campus through its College of Health and Human Services. IL AHEC is open to all students in all post-secondary schools.
Illinois SBDC at Waubonsee Community College
In partnership with Kishwaukee College
The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network serves thousands of entrepreneurs, start-ups, and second-stage small businesses throughout Illinois every year. The services provided by Illinois SBDCs, SBDC International Trade Centers (ITC), and Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) set the stage for personal and professional growth, which directly impacts our local economies for the better.
The SBDC at Waubonsee Community College — in partnership with Kishwaukee College — is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Through the SBDC, small business owners, both prospective and existing, can obtain essential management, marketing, and financial coaching. We offer no-cost one-on-one coaching and a wide variety of low-cost events and workshops to help make your business a success.
Illinois workNet Center
The Illinois workNet Center located in DeKalb provides job seeker and employer services. The Worknet Batavia office serves DeKalb, Kane, and Kendall Counties. Jobseeker services include computer access, job search assistance, on-site job placement, and financial aid for training. Employer services include assistance with finding qualified candidates, pre-employment assessments, customized training, and on-the-job training programs that provide hands-on training with up to 50% reimbursement to employers for as long as six months of the wages.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides access to resources and services for individuals looking to develop skills for successful employment and to employers in need of skilled workers. Additionally, WIOA provides better access to education and workforce services for those who may encounter employment obstacles, such as veterans, individuals with disabilities, out-of-school, or at-risk youth.
Kane/Kendall/DeKalb Workforce Development Services
DCEDC partners with the Kane/Kendall/DeKalb Workforce Development Board, whose board members are appointed by the participating County Board Chairmen. The Workforce Development Board assists and advises local elected officials regarding the use of Federal workforce development funds. The Board provides services to ready the workforce for employment through federally-funded programs under WIOA.
KC WIOA Youth Program
Kishwaukee College students, who are residents of DeKalb County, can potentially qualify for services under WIOA to support and assist them with their education and training if they meet the income and eligibility requirements.