Our focus is to deliver information and programs to Cook County residents:

• Marketable employment skills to be competitive in the 21st century economy
• Education, training, resources and referrals
• Collaboration and partnership within communities to meet the employment needs of Cook County residents and the hiring needs of Chicagoland employers.

Education ] Training ] Resources] Collaborations ] Partnerships

By connecting research, residents and resources we will endeavor to:

INFORM through interactive workshops, individual and small groups training, employment counseling and referral recommendations.

INFLUENCE by building collaborations and partnerships with businesses, education and government; community based organizations, not-for-profit organizations and faith based organizations; and transitional homes and group homes.

IMPACT unemployment and under-employment of Cook County residents: providing up-to-date and relevant employment and labor market information on-line, in print and face-to-face.

Programs and Workshops offerings are not limited to current offering. Based upon request and completion of a needs assessment, new programs may be developed. Our programs and workshops vary one to multiple sessions, with a time range of forty-five to ninety minutes each. Programs can be tailored to meet the learning needs of organizations.

Program topics cover - Self-Assessment and Skills/Interest Profilers - Career Exploration and Labor Market Information - Planning for Employment - Identifying Skills - Job Search Process - Applying and Interviewing - Internet Job Search Skills - Employment, Retention & Career Advancement - Post Secondary Options.

We welcome your input, please send comments to chisouth_eh@uiuc.edu

For up-to-minute articles on employment related issues: please view the Extension Career Express Newsletter.