Education

As the school year comes to a close, students in the graduating classes have been working to solidify their post-secondary plans.

Over 750 graduating students enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) courses from School District U-46 attended a job fair hosted by Alignment Collaborative for Education on April 27 at South Elgin High School and on April 28 at Elgin High School.

Career clusters highlighted at the job fair included automotive, business, culinary, education, health care, manufacturing, and welding.

Nancy Coleman, executive director for Alignment, said, “The purpose of this event is to prepare students as they exit their high school experience to enter the workforce. Thank you to the employers and sponsors for investing in our youth.”

Eighty employers from the area with available job openings met with students to discuss their interests and available roles within their organizations. As they visited the exhibitors, students were able to receive information and the next steps to apply for open positions.

“This was a wonderful experience for the kids to see multiple opportunities available to them,” said Kellie Mowers, a teacher at Elgin High School. “You can tell the employers are sincerely looking to hire the students.”

Participating businesses found value in the job fair as well. “Thank you to U-46 for setting up this event,” said Caleb Arteta, general manager at Nick’s Pizza & Pub in Elgin. “Programs like this have opened up many doors of opportunity. As an Elgin High grad, I am very happy to share what events and programs like this can do for everyone.”

Representatives from Elgin Community College, Judson University and Northern Illinois University were also on hand to meet with students interested in pursuing post-secondary education offerings.

Alignment, in partnership with School District U-46 and Northern Kane County Region 110 CTE Programs, will continue to plan similar events and its previously held resume workshop to help students prepare and explore the opportunities available to them within their own community.

Sponsors for the Senior Job Fair included: Advocate Sherman Hospital, American Honda Finance Corporation, City of Elgin, Elgin Community College, Grand Victoria Foundation, Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc., Hoffer Foundation, IHC Construction, ITW Shakeproof Automotive, Nicor, and School District U-46.

Thank You to Our Job Fair Sponsors

Advocate Sherman Hospital
American Honda Finance Corporation
City of Elgin
Elgin Community College
Grand Victoria Foundation
Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick
Hoffer Foundation
IHC Construction
ITW Shakeproof Automotive
Nicor
School District U-46

Thank you Business and Community Partners

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The Alignment Collaborative for Education and Hoffer Plastics partnered to introduce high school counselors across School District U-46 to careers in manufacturing as part of the January counselor field trip to study the fields of automotive, manufacturing, and welding. As a result of that January visit, high school counselors and students from Larkin High School have participated in subsequent visits to learn about the various career available in the manufacturing industry, pay and benefits associated with these positions, and opportunities for advancement. Thank you to Hoffer Plastics for making this opportunity possible!

Read the Daily Herald article by Gregg Voss that features Hoffer Plastics’ “Break the Mold” initiative, working with high school counselors and students to change the perception of the manufacturing industry.