A new initiative from the City Colleges of Chicago called “Future Ready” is providing more than 60 career training programs to city residents for free.
These programs, beginning this fall, are aimed at helping Chicagoans start or resume their college education as communities and economies continue dealing with the added pressures of COVID-19.
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City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado said they saw about a 10% decrease in enrollment since the pandemic hit, with Black and Latino male students making up the largest part of this drop.
Erik Zetina, a student at Wilbur Wright College enrolled in “Future Ready,” will be resuming his classes this fall semester for the first time since COVID-19 hit.
“Two years ago, that was the last time I attended school,” Zetina said. “I wasn’t making enough at my job, so I had to pause my education to save up money to pay my debt, to have money for books, for my classes. It was really tough on me two years ago.”
According to Zetina, the “Future Ready” program has helped alleviate some of the financial burdens in pursuit of his degree in criminal justice.
Chancellor Salgado said these programs are free for anyone living in the city, regardless of citizenship status.
“It benefits me because I can get a certificate and I can put it on my resume to better strengthen my chances to become what I truly want to become as a police officer,” Zetina said.
The City Colleges of Chicago will require weekly COVID-19 testing for students who don’t show proof of vaccination.
City Colleges to Provide Over 60 Free Short-Term Programs This Fall - WTTW News
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