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The COVID-19 vaccination requirement for visitors to IDJJ facilities has been suspended as of 1/12/23. Visitors may be required to complete a rapid COVID-19 test when they arrive at the facility. 

Career & Technical Education

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is committed to assisting youth in their exploration of career options and providing training opportunities in various fields. 

CAREER EXPLORATION

All IYC locations offer the Career Exploration course. At the completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of Career Exploration and careers that may be the best fit for them. Also, student will be applying this knowledge towards finding an apprenticeship, job shadow opportunities and other introductory job skills.  

IYC St. Charles 

CUSTODIAL TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE

The Custodial Technician program is designed to provide students with hands-on skills in the area of maintenance. Students will learn to shampoo carpets, strip, scrub and wax floors, wash walls and windows, write a resume and procedures to start a small custodial business.

FUNDAMENTALS OF HORTICULTURE CERTIFICATE

The Fundamentals of Horticulture certificate is designed for participants to receive entry level training that prepares them to confidently enter the growing Horticulture industry. This certificate teaches practical skills and industry standards for landscapers, nursery workers, and greenhouse operators.

CONSTRUCTION CERTIFICATES I & II

Construction Occupations Certificate I

The Construction Occupations I certificate is designed for participants to develop competencies needed for entry level employment in construction or building maintenance fields, or as preparation for continuing education in construction technology.

Construction Occupations Certificate II

The Construction Occupations II certificate allows students who have completed the Construction Occupations I Certificate to advance their knowledge and skills by gaining knowledge in the area of plumbing, masonry, residential wiring, and green building practices.

IYC Pere Marquette

BEGINNING DRAFTING

Beginning Drafting is an introductory level drafting course. During this course students will learn the fundamentals of drafting and/or computer aided drafting (CAD). The instruction will include the care and use of drafting equipment, freehand sketching, orthographic projection, lettering techniques, dimensioning standards, pictorial drawings, drawing reproduction, and an introduction to CAD. 

IYC Harrisburg

FUNDAMENTALS OF HORTICULTURE CERTIFICATE

The Fundamentals of Horticulture Certificate is designed for participants to receive entry level training that prepares them to confidently enter the growing Horticulture industry. This certificate teaches practical skills and industry standards for landscapers, nursery workers, and greenhouse operators.

HORTICULTURE PRODUCTION CERTIFICATE

The Horticulture Production Certificate is designed for participants who have completed the Fundamentals of Horticulture Certificate. Emphasis is placed on production skills in ornamental, food crops, and landscaping required for a horticulture professional to advance in the field.

CULINARY ARTS I CERTIFICATE

The Culinary Arts I Certificate is designed for participants to received entry level training that prepares them to confidently enter the growing food industry. This certificate teaches practical skills and industry standards for food prep workers, cooks and servers.

CULINARY ARTS II CERTIFICATE

The Culinary Arts II Certificate is designed for participants who have completed Culinary Arts I Certificate. Emphasis is placed on technical skills in cooking and baking required for a culinary professional to advance in the field.

BUILDING MAINTENANCE I

This course includes learning experiences and skills in servicing building systems, repair and maintenance of machinery, maintaining plumbing systems, minor electrical repairs, essential heating ventilation and air conditioning system maintenance, painting, and basic carpentry. These experiences provide students the opportunity to become knowledgeable in a variety of practices and skills associated with all trades that are necessary to maintain a building’s daily operations that are repair related. The Building Maintenance I course provides instruction and hands-on activities including the use of test equipment and tools, hand tools, basic electricity, carpentry and masonry skills.

In January of 2023, IDJJ hosted the grand re-openings of barber shops at the Chicago and Warrenville youth centers. Thirteen youth began working toward becoming licensed barbers or cosmetologists in partnership with Larry's Barber College.  

RE-OPENING JANUARY 2023

LARRY’S BARBER COLLEGE

In 2010, Larry’s Barber College, under the leadership of Larry Roberts, Jr., made history by opening the first barber college inside Cook County Department of Corrections. This was the first of its kind and many did not believe that it would work because of the lack of funds that Department of Corrections had. Larry and his team not only accepted the challenge, they took the bull by the horns and successfully enrolled and graduated over 300 inmate’s, both men and women.  Now at IYC Chicago, IYC Warrenville offering youth this same opportunity and coming soon to IYC St. Charles. 

COMING SOON

NAVIANCE

Naviance offers all students access to build resumes, complete college applications and access to social emotional development. The program provides students with tools to plan for a future that aligns with their strengths and interests.  This will allow teachers to monitor and track student progress toward college or career pathways.  nable staff to measure outcomes and manage tasks more efficiently, giving them time back to engage with students and support their success.  Alumni will also be able to access the program upon release.

TECHNICALOGY and MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATION

TMA has an online university (TMA-U) that provides remote instruction in numerous areas. With new, multimedia enhancements and engagements, classes offer a rich learning experience for all levels of employees. TMA also provides on-site training at their Schaumburg, Illinois facility where they offer personalized and convenient in-person training from instructors with vast experience in manufacturing. Many classes incorporate hands-on learning with industrial-level training equipment for a real-world, interactive experience. They also make it convenient by bringing training to our members' facilities when necessary.

NOVA DRIVING SCHOOL

Trusted by over 20,000 students a year, Nova's priority is to graduate students to drive defensively and responsibly. Nova Driving School is the only Illinois Driving School certified by the “National Safety Council” and one of the most reputable driving schools in the Chicagoland area. Their unique teaching methodology approach makes students learn in no time.

GREATER WEST TOWN PROJECT

This program prepares students with a broad base of skills needed to be highly qualified for entry level employment in positions such as a shipping and receiving clerk, forklift operator, warehouse associate, material handler, traffic agent, stocker, order picker, or dock worker.

RECRUIT ME TODAY

RecruitMe has developed a video job board that provides employers the ability to post “Job Recruiting Videos” and gives candidates access to view the actual role, the location where they will be working, plus the company culture. This gives employers the ability to “Talk to their future employees”. 

Questions about IDJJ's CTE programs?

Email CTE Director Noah Boudreau at Noah.Boudreau@Illinois.gov