Workforce and Community Education
The lifelong continuing learning needs of the local workforce, business and social community are served through the Olive-Harvey Workforce and Community Education Center (WCE). The WCE Center promotes the concept of lifelong learning by providing to area residents and local businesses classes, seminars, workshops, and services that promote short-term career preparation, professional skills training, business skills upgrading, and special interest learning for adults, youth, and families as a whole.

 

The Center also initiates and cultivates collaborative relationships with local companies, government, social service agencies, and other community-based organizations in order to ensure the continued economic and social health of area residents. Finally, the Center meets the needs of local businesses through specifically customized training, courses, workshops and other requested activities. For information, contact the Workforce and Community Education Office Room 1118, 773.291.6292.

 

Locations

Olive-Harvey Conference Services offers the use of meeting rooms and classrooms to qualified business and community organizations. For these groups, Olive-Harvey College can provide a convenient location, barrier-free facilities, flexibility in room size, technology equipment and plenty of free parking.

The Olive-Harvey Workforce and Community Education Center programs and courses are available at two Olive-Harvey campuses:

 

Main Campus
10001 South Woodlawn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60628
773.291.6292

 

South Chicago Campus
3055 East 92nd Street
Chicago, IL 60617
773.291.6770

 

Three Distinct Units

The Workforce and Community Education Center of Olive-Harvey houses three specialized units:

• Workforce Training Institute
• Business and Industry Services Center
• Community & Personal Education Center

 

Admission

Ideal candidates for our Workforce Training programs are unemployed, underemployed, displaced workers, or persons seeking an opportunity to begin or continue their education. Any adult is eligible to register at the Admission’s office of Olive-Harvey College or its South Chicago Campus. An applicant who is 16 or 17 years of age and who has been officially released from their high school may also be admitted to these programs. Some programs have additional age restrictions.

 

There are no age requirements for our Community and Personal Education courses. Additionally, most of our Community and Personal Education Courses do not have a prerequisite.

 

Workforce Training Institute

The workforce preparation needs of local community residents are addressed by the Workforce Training Institute. Through the Workforce Training Institute, Olive-Harvey College offers a variety of short-term career programs, which, upon completion, provide the skills necessary for employment across a number of job sectors.

 

The principal goals of the Institute are:

1. To provide short-term vocational training for entry-level employment.
2. To provide pre-employment training and job placement assistance to area residents.

Pursuant to these goals, the Workforce Training Programs range from 4 to 30 weeks in duration, and upon satisfactory completion trainees receive certificates of completion and placement assistance. For information on any of these programs, please call 773.291.6292.

 

Short-Term Career Training Programs of Study

Students are eligible to receive a certificate of completion upon successful fulfillment of any of a variety of short-term, Workforce Investment Act (WIA)-certified, ICCB-approved training programs. Available workforce development activities provided for local communities can benefit job seekers, laid off workers, youth, incumbent workers, new entrants to the workforce, veterans, persons with disabilities, and employers. New certificate programs are always in development. For more information on programs or to inquire about your eligibility for funding, please call 773.291.6292: Following are the current WIA-certified, ICCB-approved programs:

 

(You may very likely qualify for WIA tuition assistance! Call 773.291.6292.)

 

Certified Nurse Assistant (0801)

This is a 11-week program, which provides the participant with the training necessary to take the Illinois State competency exam to become certified as a Nurse Assistant. Training includes classroom and laboratory instruction and clinical experience within a hospital or nursing home which qualifies the participant for both home and institutional employment. Requirement: College placement exam.

 

Emergency Medical Technician—Basic

This is a 16 week program where students will learn to use pre-hospital equipment to provide airway management, defibrillation, bandaging, splinting, poison control, shock management and other means of treatment and immobilization, along with safe transport to a medical facility. After successful completion of this 16-week program, the student may be eligible to sit for the National Registry Examination for the Emergency Medical Technician—Basic. Requirement: High School diploma or GED.

 

Medical Billing and Coding (0804)

This 30-week program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as certified coders. Students learn to solve billing problems, file claims, complete insurance forms, trace delinquent claims, appeal denied claims, and use generic forms to streamline billing procedures. This course covers medical terminology, insurance procedures, coding and computerized medical billing. Program completers can earn national certification as a certified Professional Coder from the American Academy of Professional Coder (AAPC.) Requirement: High School diploma or GED.

 

Pharmacy Technician (0802)

This 16-week program will train students to provide technical and clerical support to pharmacists in hospitals, clinics, or retail pharmacies. The pharmacy technician training will include medical terminology, reading, interpretation of prescriptions, inventory management and control, drug compounding, dosage calculations and dose conversions. Course content also includes the dispensing of prescriptions, billing, and reimbursement. Program completers can earn certification from the Pharmaceutical Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Requirement: High School diploma or GED.

 

School Bus Driver (0872)

This six week program is designed for individuals with little or no commercial vehicle operation experience. The Program prepares you to obtain the CDL Class B license with passenger and school bus driver endorsements.

 

Each qualified student will receive a Department of Transportation commercial driver's license learner's permit, endorsement preparation, Department of Transportation rules and regulations, log books, map reading guidelines, trip planning essentials, and complete vehicle training to prepare them for employment in the trucking industry.

 

Requirements: Prospective students must be 21 years of age or older with an active, current Illinois driver’s license that is not suspended, revoked, nor cancelled. The student must bring a current copy of their Motor Vehicle Report by the first day of class and must secure a physical examination by the end of the 1st week of class.

 

Truck Driving Training (0876)

This six week program is designed for individuals with little or no commercial truck driving experience, the Olive-Harvey Commercial Driver’s License Truck Driving Training Program trains students for entry-level employment as truck drivers. Olive-Harvey College, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation, offers this program to prepare students to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License in the State of Illinois.

 

Each qualified student will receive a Department of Transportation commercial driver's license learner's permit, endorsement preparation, Department of Transportation rules and regulations, log books, map reading guidelines, trip planning essentials, and complete vehicle training to prepare them for employment in the trucking industry. Successful completers qualify for the Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Examination and all endorsements required for a truck driver. Requirements: Prospective students must be 21 years of age or older with an active, current Illinois driver’s license that is not suspended, revoked, nor cancelled. The student must bring a current copy of their Motor Vehicle Report by the first day of class and must secure a physical examination by the end of the 1st week of class.

 

Unit Secretary (0874)

This 12-week program is designed to provide students with competency in the many non-clinical functions performed in health-care facilities, i.e., hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or medical offices. Program completers master the essentials of performing general clerical duties as a receptionist, and they develop competency in inputting doctor’s orders and requisitioning tests. Requirements: Students in this program are required to possess 9th grade reading and math levels or better, and high school diploma or GED.

 

Business and Industry Services Center

Through its Business and Industry Services Center, the Workforce and Community Education Center provides specialized, often customized, training and business services for local businesses. The Business and Industry Services Center was created to assist in the growth and revitalization of the local Chicago business community. We recognize the need for many organizations to have training customized for their particular work environment. Training, seminars, workshops, single-topic presentations, and countless other services may be designed for an individual business or groups of businesses. Our consultants or trainers will work with area businesses—large or small—to develop content or services specific to your workplace. Classes or seminars may be conducted at your job site or at the Olive-Harvey campus, and they may be condensed or expanded to fit the needs of your workers. For information, please call 773.291.6292.

 

Community & Personal Education Center

Through its Community & Personal Education Center, the Olive-Harvey Workforce and Community Education Center administers to the educational, professional, economic, social and personal needs of the community and its individuals.

 

A changing series of special interest career enhancement, self-improvement, leisure, recreational, personal enrichment and hobby courses are offered for adults and youth. Classes, workshops and seminars are provided year round for the enterprising entrepreneur.

 

Through shared-facility arrangements, Olive-Harvey College houses various external partnering programs that enhance community offerings and save area residents cost, time, and the inconvenience of travel to secure specialty educational and social services. For information, please call 773.291.6292.

 

Teen and pre-teen classes for youth ages 4 to 14 in math, reading, martial arts, swimming, and computer courses are held on Saturdays. During the summer, a six-week Summer Learning Camp is available for youth ages 8-14. For information on any of these programs, please call 773.291.6292.

 

Admission to Class: Any adult 18 years of age of older may enroll in the Community Education program regardless of educational background. Enrollment is limited to available space. Acceptance is on a first come, first serve basis. Children, ages 4-17, may enroll in the youth programs. All children must have a social security number and an adult must register them.

 

No student may be admitted to any class in which he/she is not officially enrolled. No enrollment is official unless a registration card or revision form for the course has been processed by the Registrar’s Office and required fees paid to the Business Office.

 

Bookstore: Students must purchase their own supplies and textbooks. Textbooks and supply lists will be available at the time of registration or will be announced at the first class session. All books are available at the C & W Bookstore. Room L316 - L317 (Lower Level), telephone 773.291.6533. The function of the bookstore is to provide Olive-Harvey College students with all required and recommended textbooks, as well as related general supplies. The bookstore also provides jackets, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and paperback best sellers.

 

Tuition: Tuition for each course is listed. Registration Fee: $25.00, Non-refundable; required of all certificate programs. Late Registration Fee: An additional $25.00 non refundable charge will be assessed for students who register during the late registration period.

 

Payments: All tuition and fees are due and payable in full at the time of registration. Registration is not complete until all tuition and fees are paid in full. Cash, credit cards, money order or personal checks made payable to Olive-Harvey College will be accepted.

 

Cancelled Classes: A full refund for all tuition/fees will be sent to the student if college administration withdraws or cancels a class. Charge accounts will be credited. Allow four to six weeks for processing. If a student withdraws from a course(s) before the first class meeting a withdrawal fee of $5.00 will be charged. The $25.00 registration fee is non-refundable. If a student transfers from a class that has not been cancelled into another class, the student will be charged a revision fee of $20.00.

 

Schedule Changes: A student who must withdraw from one or more courses must do so in person or in writing to the Office of Workforce and Community Education. In person withdrawal does not entitle the student to a refund. Notification to the instructor is not sufficient. This policy will be strictly observed. PLAN YOUR SCHEDULE CAREFULLY. NOTE: All revisions/withdrawals must be made in the Registrar’s office.

 

No Show Policy: Students must attend classes as soon as they begin. Students not attending the first two classes sessions will be administratively withdrawn from the class, such students will not be reinstated. The administrative withdrawal does not relieve the student of their responsibility of following the formal withdrawal procedure. Withdrawal forms are available in the Registrar’s office.

 

Credits/Certificates: All Workforce and Community Education students earn Continuing Education credit for each course they take. These credits are not applicable toward the AA or AAS degrees. Students may receive a certificate of completion for their courses. Students must complete a certificate request form. Forms may be obtained in the Workforce and Community Education Office, Room 1118.

 

Accreditations: Olive-Harvey College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 30 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, 800.621.7440 and by the Illinois Community College Board.

 

Please plan your programs carefully. We have a no-refund policy. Check ‘Room Assignment List’ outside of room 1118 on the first day of class.