We are back with another newsletter full of useful and timely information relevant to today's global and competitve job market. Future articles will include issues about and in the workplace that may affect job offera, retention, and career advancement. Topics of interest may include

Physical factors: Obesity, strabismus and dental loss.

Chronic illnesses: Asthma, cardiac, diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS

FMLA: Special needs children/parents/grandparenting

Education: The value of a degree, certificate, certification and the state of employers' tuition reimbursement.

Legal: Arrested while employed, convicted while employed.

Pregnancy: Returnng to current employnment after a planned pregnancy, returning to current job after unplanned pregnancy.

Employers' Tax Credits: Welfare-to-Work and Re-Entry.

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Most importantly we welcome your stories.

http://www.uschamber.com/search/default.htm?ct=uscc&q1=initiatives+

Today's global job market indicates that employment progression will require some form of education beyond high school completion. Whether vocational training, military, entrepreneurship or college bound, the 21^st century workforce will have employment demands previous generations could not imagine.

High school students are facing workforce demands that offer career paths unfathomed by their parents, much less previous generations of workers:

• The need to meet employers' in-demand skills,
• Longer work lives due longer life expectancy
• Global markets accessible twenty-four hours a day
• Quick access with cell phones and blackberry; email, instant and text messaging
• Industry specific critical skill shortages, and
• Rapid advancements in science, medicine, technology and industrial operations

Baby boomers in position to retire may need to seek second careers due to the high cost of living, need for health care benefits, parenting grandchildren, the desire to further use knowledge, skills and expertise acquired, and a desire to give back to their communities.

Questions are surfacing whether kindergarten is too soon to begin education youth on career choices and demonstrating familiarity with the world of work. Educators indicate that by third grade every child be receiving some active form of early college outreach in preparation for a career offering employment progression.

High speed internet provides more opportunities for telecommuting and working from home. A customer calling a consumer call center for service, products or assistance may be served by a worker a continent away.

Retirement and entrepreneurship is being redefined by dot.coms and Ebay. What is and who will be the 21^st century workforce? What will it look like, sound like, feel like on a daily basis? How engaging and interactive will the 21^st century work be versus the current market with the impact of portable computers and high speed internet?

How will career education and workforce preparedness be impacted and influenced by competitive post-secondary education, on-line learning, webinars and growing demands for credentialing for skills validation? What will be the effect of the global job market on low-skilled, non-English speaking, new immigrants and entry-level employees; and the re-entry population?

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Representing your ideas—and interests—in Washington for nearly a century.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. It includes hundreds of associations, thousands of local chambers, and more than 100 American Chambers of Commerce in 91 countries. Learn more about the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, an initiative of the U S. Chamber of Commerce at http://www.uschamber.com/icw/strategies/default.htm

Education and Workforce Strategies & Initiatives

ICW develops education and workforce strategies for businesses, chambers of commerce, and communities to hire, train, retain, and advance skilled workers in the 21st century.

Enhancing Work Skills through Vocational Training

What is the difference between a job and a career? How does one may the decision of which to choose, and how does one prepare for either? Info-commercials, direct marketing literature, hot jobs, in-demand jobs; based on salary, access, and/or availability. What factors should one consider when deciding employment that offers skills and economic progression and some level of personal gratification?

Vocational Schools a Growing Trend

When trying to decide what you'll do after high school graduation, you should know that attending a four-year college or university is not the only option available to you. Many students are turning to vocational education right after graduation or even later in life as they embark upon a second, or maybe even third, career. Do you know what vocational schools offer or how to find one that's right for you? Do you know what kind of programs vocational schools offer? Keep reading to learn about the many programs and career options available to you.

What is a Vocational School?

A vocational school, often referred to as a trade school, is a school that operates for the purpose of giving its students skills needed to perform a certain job. Vocational schools teach job-specific skills and are considered to be institutions devoted to training rather than education. Training is related to specific trades, or vocations, hence the name "vocational" schools. Many vocational schools are now offering degree-transfer programs. If you enroll in a degree-transfer program at a vocational school, some of your credits may be transferable to a four year college or university. http://www.gocollege.com/options/vocational-trade-schools/

Facts for Consumers

Choosing a Career or Vocational School http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/votech.shtm

Whether you're new to the job market or looking to enhance your skills, a private vocational or correspondence school can be an excellent starting point for furthering your career. These schools train students for a variety of skilled jobs, including automotive technician, medical assistant, hair stylist, interior designer, electronics technician, paralegal and truck driver. Some schools also help students identify prospective employers and apply for jobs.

While many private vocational and correspondence schools are reputable and teach the skills necessary to get a good job, others may not be as trustworthy. Their main objective may be to increase profits by increasing enrollment. They do this by promising more than they can deliver.

For example, they may mislead prospective students about the salary potential of certain jobs or the availability of jobs in certain fields. They also may overstate the extent of their job training programs, the qualifications of their teachers, the nature of their facilities and equipment, and their connections to certain businesses and industries.

It's not always easy to spot the false claims that some schools may make, but there are steps consumers can take to make sure that the school they enroll in is reputable and trustworthy.

Do Some Homework

Before enrolling in a vocational or correspondence school, do some homework. Here's how:

Consider whether you need additional training or education to get the job you want. It's possible that the skills you'll need can be learned "on the job." Look at employment ads for positions that you're interested in and call the employer to learn what kind of experience is important for those positions.

Investigate training alternatives, like community colleges. The tuition may be less than at private schools. Also, some businesses offer education programs through apprenticeships or on-the-job training.

Compare programs. Study the information from various schools to learn what is required to graduate. Ask what you'll get when you graduate — a certificate in your chosen field or eligibility for a clinical or other externship? Are licensing credits you earn at the school transferable? If you decide to pursue additional training and education, find out whether two- or four-year colleges accept credits from any vocational or correspondence school you're considering. If reputable schools and colleges say they don't, it may be a sign that the vocational school is not well regarded.

Find out as much as you can about the school's facilities. Ask about the types of equipment — computers and tools, for example — that students use for training and supplies and tools that you, as a student, must provide. Visit the school; ask to see the classrooms and workshops.

Ask about the instructors' qualifications and the size of classes. Sit in on a class. Are the students engaged? Is the teacher interesting?

Get some idea of the program's success rate. Ask what percentage of students complete the program. A high dropout rate could mean that students don't like the program. How many graduates find jobs in their chosen field? What is the average starting salary?

Ask for a list of recent graduates. Ask some about their experiences with the school.

Find out how much the program is going to cost. Are books, equipment, uniforms and lab fees included in the overall fee or are they extra?

If you need financial assistance, find out whether the school provides it, and if so, what it offers. The U.S. Department of Education administers several major student aid programs in the forms of grants, loans and work-study programs. About two-thirds of all student financial aid comes from these programs. Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4 FED AID (1-800-433-3243) for a free copy of The Student Guide. It's also available at www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide

Ask for the names and phone numbers of the school's licensing and accrediting organizations. Check with these organizations to learn whether the school is up-to-date on its license and accreditation. Licensing is handled by state agencies. In many states, private vocational schools are licensed through the state Department of Education. Truck driver training schools, on the other hand, may be licensed by the state transportation department. Ask the school which state agency handles its licensing. Accreditation is usually through a private education agency or association, which has evaluated the school and verified that it meets certain requirements. Accreditation can be an important clue to a school's ability to provide appropriate training and education — if the accrediting body is reputable. Your high-school guidance counselor, principal or teachers can tell you which accrediting bodies have worthy standards.

Check with the Attorney General's office and the Better Business Bureau in the state where you live and in the state where the school is based, and with your county or state consumer protection agency to see whether complaints have been filed against the school. A record of complaints may indicate questionable practices, but a lack of complaints doesn't necessarily mean that the school is without problems. Unscrupulous businesses or business people often change names and locations to hide complaint histories.

Taking Care of Business

Once you decide on a school, review the materials the school gives you, including the contract. Avoid signing up until you've read the documents carefully. Check the contract to see whether you can cancel within a few days of signing up and if so, how to go about it. If the school refuses to give you documents to review beforehand, take your business to another school. Its refusal may be a sign that the school isn't trustworthy. If a school official tells you something other than what is in their documents, ask the school to put it in writing. If the promises aren't in writing, the school can deny ever having made them.

To finance your vocational training program, you may apply for financial aid through the school's financial aid program. If you take out a loan, be sure you read the agreement and understand the terms of repayment before you sign. Know when repayment begins and how much each payment will be.

Also realize that you're responsible for paying off the loan whether or not you complete the training program. If you don't pay off the loan, you may run into some serious problems. For example:

You may not be able to get credit later on to buy a house or car, or to receive a credit card.

If you decide to go to another school, you may not be able to get a loan or grant.

Your employer may deduct payments from your paycheck automatically to repay the loan.

The IRS can confiscate your federal tax refunds.

You could be sued for the money you owe.

Filing a Complaint

If you are not satisfied with the quality of the instruction or training you receive from a vocational or correspondence school, talk to faculty members or the school administration. If your dissatisfaction relates to your contract with the school, try to resolve your dispute with the school. If that doesn't work, report the problem to your local Better Business Bureau, your local or state consumer protection office, your state Attorney General's office and the Federal Trade Commission. You can file a complaint with the FTC by calling toll-free 1-877-FTC HELP (1-877-382-4357) or logging on to www.ftc.gov. Click on "complaint form."

You also may file a complaint with the: 1) school's accrediting organizations; 2)state licensing agency, state board of education and the state's education department. Check the blue pages of the telephone book under "State Government." U.S. Department of Education, if you are receiving federal financial aid to pay for the school training. To file a complaint, call toll-free 1-800-MIS-USED (1-800-647-8733). In the Washington, DC, area, call 202-205-5770.

For More Information U.S. Department of Education Thinking About Going to a Career College or Technical School? The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

[This article is reproduced in its entirety to ensure of accuracy and thoroughness.]

Building a Professional Practice: How to Sell Your Services BPP0508

http://www.uic.edu/cba/pdp/professionalpractice.html

Perhaps you are already in business and to explore marketing and advertising strategies in today's competitive job market. The course listed below may be useful to those who need to increase referrals, become more visible or implement a marketing plan. The course is offered by the University of Illinois Chicago through Continuing Education. Another source to find useful business related courses or certificates is through the Illinois Virtual Campus, http://www.ivc.illinois.edu/

Course Overview This five-week course is intended to teach ambitious professionals – attorneys, dentists, financial planners and other professionals how to market and sell their services. Very often, professionals in service-based fields do not receive formal training outside of their area of specialty. In order to compliment their specialized skills, participants in this course will learn how to overcome fears, biases and false notions about self promotion, and become visible in a crowded market. Building a Professional Practice covers all aspects of building a successful career and focuses on what an individual can do to integrate promotional strategies in building a more successful business practice. Who Should Attend Building a Professional Practice? Professionals that sell their knowledge and skills for a living Professionals interested in improving their ability to attract, sell and keep clients Professionals interested in gaining greater control over their income and careers Building a Professional Practice Learning Objectives In just five weeks participants of Building a Professional Practice will learn how to: • Overcome fears, biases and false notions about self promotion • Become visible in an overcrowded market • Close a sale in a professional, ethical and efficient manner • Increase the number of referrals you receive • Build personal relationships and a free-sales force • Create and implement a simple marketing plan • Bring balance between your career and the rest of your life • Convert goodwill into a marketable entity [The entire description is provided to ensure full content disclosure.]

In the previous newsletter the post secondary education options were explored at the seven City Colleges of Chicago. Moraine Valley Community College will be highlighted in this edition. The certificate programs highlighted are cost effective alternatives to proprietary businesses that offer vocational and career programs, often advertised hot careers, fastest growing careers, and best paying careers.

About Us: At Moraine Valley Community College, we are dedicated to offering you every opportunity to succeed. Take a look at our programs and distinctions, and you'll see why we are among the nation's premier two-year institutions of higher learning.

Career programs - fast-track training opportunities in high-tech industries, business, health science, industrial technology, and public service. Following is a sample list of Moraine Valley certificate programs. If immediate employment upon graduation is your goal, Moraine Valley has a Career Program for you. http://www.morainevalley.edu/

Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Pkwy., Palos Hills, IL 60465-0937 (708) 974-4300 TTY (708) 974-9556 http://www.morainevalley.edu/

3-D CAD Certificate
This program prepares students for a career as a three-dimensional CAD drafter, designer or detailer.

Accounting Assistant/Clerk Certificate
Prepares students for employment or advancement as entry-level or trainee accountants in the shortest possible time with solid academic credentials.

Addictions Studies Certificate
Gives students an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue and become certified addictions counselors in Illinois through the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association and related certification entities.

Administrative Assistant Certificate
Prepares students for positions as administrative assistants, executive assistants and office assistants. Graduates acquire strong skills in computer applications, written communication and office procedures.

Advanced Air Conditioning Technician Certificate
Prepares students for an advanced career as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic, installer or service representative.

Aircraft Inspection Technician Certificate
Learn how to test aircraft components and assemblies without destroying them or altering their properties. All training is conducted in accordance with standards provided by the American Air Transportation Association, American Society of Nondestructive Testing and International Standards Organization.

Architectural CAD Certificate
This program prepares students for a career in the architecture and civil engineering fields as a CAD specialist. Development of two- and three-dimensional animated computer images are created, edited and produced.

AS/400 Specialist Certificate
Prepares students to assist in the implementation of integrated business minicomputer systems, including programming, running applications and evaluating.

Automotive Climate Control Technician Certificate
Prepares students for entry level employment in the automotive service industry.

Baking/Pastry Arts Certificate
Prepares students for entry-level positions in the baking/pastry area of culinary arts.

Basic Air Conditioning Technician Certificate
Prepares students for a beginning career as a heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic, installer or service representative.

Beverage Management Certificate
Prepares students for entry-level positions in the beverage area of restaurants or hotels.

Brake & Chassis Technician Certificate
Prepares the student for an entry-level position in the automotive service industry.

Business Skills Certificate
Provides students with a basic understanding of business practices. It is not intended to lead to a specific job, but instead prepares students for entry into business degree programs at community colleges.

Coding Specialist Certificate
Prepares students to become medical coding specialist and gain working knowledge of ICD-9-CM and CPT coding systems. Coders develop a broad base of knowledge to enable the application of coding theory using medical terminology, disease process, surgical procedures, and pharmacology principles.

Computer Animation Certificate—This program prepares students for a career in the computer animation, computer graphics and digital imaging fields. Two- and three-dimensional animated computer images are created, edited and produced.

Computer Technician Certificate
Prepares students for entry-level positions in PC installation, maintenance, and repair.

Culinary Arts Management Certificate
Prepares students for entry-level positions in food production.

Data Entry Certificate
Prepares students to utilize a keyboard to enter data from source documents into a computer.

E-Commerce Assistant Certificate
Prepares students to assist in the development and management of electronic commerce Web sites. E-Commerce includes knowledge of business principles, as well as Web development, database design and infrastructures.

Electrical Troubleshooting Certificate
Prepares students for a career as a heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic, or service representative.

Electronic Controls Technician Certificate
Prepares students for entry-level positions working with controls found in process control environments.

Emergency Medical Services Certificate
Prepares those who want to go into the public or private sector as paramedics.

Employee Training and Development Certificate
Prepares students for careers in human resources with an emphasis on training and development of staff.

Firefighter Specialist Certificate
Provides students the opportunity to explore fire service as a career, while providing fire service practitioners an opportunity to pursue specialized training linked to alternative fire service paths.

Fitness Trainer Certificate
Prepares students to promote, sell, organize, teach, and evaluate fitness programs in health and fitness clubs, sports facilities, public agencies, and commercial or industrial firms.

Individualized Welding Certificate
Prepares students for employment as an entry-level welder with specific skills for an individual's preference.

Legal Office Assistant Certificate
Prepares students for positions as administrative assistants in a legal office. Graduates are skilled in general office applications with an emphasis on legal terminology and procedures.

Lotus Notes Specialist Certificate
Prepares students for entry-level positions as Lotus Notes specialists in the areas of Notes desktop support, Lotus Notes/Domino application development and Lotus Notes/Domino administration.

Machinist Certificate
Helps students develop employable skills required in all mainstream chip-producing processes.

Massage Therapy Certificate
Trains students in the art of touch and the application of pressure to clients' sore muscles and limbs to induce relaxation, assist in rehabilitation and contribute to their overall physical and emotional well being.

Mechanical and Fluid Power Maintenance Certificate
Prepares students in four areas important to maintenance personnel, including communications, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and fluid power systems.

Medical Assistant Certificate
Prepares students to assist with patient care management, including administrative and/or clinical duties, under the direction of a physician.

Medical Secretary Certificate
Prepares students for administrative assistant positions in medical offices or in health-related industries.

Medical Transcription Certificate
Prepares students for a career as a medical language specialist. Medical transcriptionists have a broad knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, surgical procedures, medications, diagnostic tests and curative procedures, and medico-legal principles.

Meeting Planner Certificate
This program prepares individuals for entry-level positions in the meeting and special events planning industry.

Microsoft Application Developer Certificate
Prepares students with programming skills that will, when combined with a degree and industry experience, provide the background for entry-level or trainee software development positions.

Multi-Process Welding Certificate
Prepares students for employment as an entry-level welder with basic knowledge of several types of welding techniques.

Network Administrator Certificate
Comprehensive understanding of multiple operating systems in a mix of vendor environments.

Paraprofessional Educator Certificate
Prepares students for careers as teacher's aides in regular and special education classes in elementary and secondary schools, and in social agencies.

PC Applications Help Desk Certificate
Prepares students for entry-level positions in user (customer) support for PC applications. Students acquire hardware and software knowledge and customer service skills necessary to troubleshoot and resolve basic PC and applications problems.

Phlebotomy Certificate
Prepares students for a career as a phlebotomist, which is an integral member of the laboratory team. Includes training in specimen collection and processing.

Polysomnography Technology Certificate
For students interested in gaining skills for entry-level positions in the allied health field of sleep disorders. Specialized courses in sleep theory and practical clinical experience in local sleep centers provide the education and skills necessary to become independent clinicians.

Private Protective Services Certificate
Prepares students for entry-level positions in security services. The program covers a broad spectrum of topics related to private security services, such as crisis management, first aid, investigative technologies, firearms, laws, and criminal evidence.

Psychiatric Rehabilitation Technician Certificate
Provides individuals with the necessary background and skills to work with people with severe mental and/or alcohol, drug, and abuse problems. Also provides needed in-service training for those already employed in mental health positions.

Receptionist/Office Assistant Certificate
Prepares students for positions as receptionists and office assistants. Students learn proper techniques and procedures for greeting visitors, handling incoming calls, sorting and routing incoming materials, and performing general administrative duties.

Restaurant/Hotel Management Certificate
Prepares students for entry-level positions in the hospitality industry.

RPG Programmer Certificate
Prepares students to program in RPG/400, a subset of RPG III, which runs the AS/400.

Shielded Metal Arc Welding Certificate
Prepares students for employment as a basic stick welder.

Software Developer Certificate
Prepares students with programming skills that will provide the background for entry-level or trainee software development positions, or enhance an information technology professional's versatility and career advancement potential.

Supply Chain Management Certificate
This course focuses on developing basic professional skills to maximize productivity in the work place and increase an individual's competitive edge. Emphasis is placed on the student's ability to be prepared for the challenges of everyday situations in the workplace.

Travel-Tourism Certificate
Provides entry-level technical knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for employment in the travel-tourism industry.

Website Designer Certificate
Prepares students for a career in Web site design through instruction of programming principles, Web page authoring and publishing, PC graphics applications, database management and more.

Website Developer Certificate
This certificate program prepares students for entry-level positions as Web site proofreaders, editors, developers, or designers. Students acquire an understanding of programming principles and languages incorporated in Web pages, becoming proficient in HTML and related technologies.

Welding, Combination Certificate
Prepares students for employment in welding by continuing education in the oxy-fuel and shielded metal arc welding processes.

Service Hours

All Chicago Public Schools high school students must complete a total of 40 hours. Beginning with the 2002-03 academic year, schools can require that students complete 10 services hours each year in order to move on to the next grade level. Beginning with the 2004-05 academic year, all sophomores will be required to complete 20 service hours in order to be promoted to junior status.

Parents of high school students attending Chicago Public Schools can learn more about the required Service Learning Hours and cooperating agencies at

Definition http://www.servicelearning.cps.k12.il.us/Guidelines.html

The following definition for Service Learning serves as a guiding framework for Service Learning in Chicago Public Schools:

Service Learning is a teaching and learning methodology that connects classroom curriculum with identified community issues and needs. Service Learning engages students in projects that serve the community and build their social and academic capacities.

Service Learning is a strategy, not an outcome. Service Learning is an opportunity for students to learn critical skills through project development, implementation, and reflection. By participating in high quality Service Learning experiences students learn the invaluable skill of being able to organize information, resources, and people in order to improve the community.

Organizations http://www.servicelearning.cps.k12.il.us/Organizations.html

More than 200 non-profit organizations in Chicago have signed on to provide students with structured opportunities to earn service hours (click on service agencies). CPS' partner organizations serve their communities through direct and indirect service, community organizing and development, and advocacy. Organizations work on a range of social issues including housing, hunger, children and youth, senior citizens, the environment, immigration, race relations, health, and education. These organizations represent an exciting range of opportunities for CPS students.

Opportunities to volunteer services can be sourced at www.volunteermatch.com and www.idealist.org. Many of the agencies listed do offer Service Learning opportunities.