Magoo and Associates is a computer network consulting group in Effingham, Illinois, providing all network support to community organizations and businesses. Still, their current clientele is limited because they need a qualified staff member to work on or troubleshoot fiber optic cabling problems. Magoo and Associates sent a staff member to Parkland College to earn Fiber Optic Cabling Repair certificates. This training enhanced their ability to get more business, allowing them to expand their operations and keeping them a leader in the IT sector and more competitive in the IT market.

Fair-Rite Products, Inc. of Flat Rock is one of the world's leaders in developing and producing Ferrite products. The company needed to learn Lean Manufacturing principles to reduce the time from order to completion, reduce wasted motions and inventory, and improve their efficiency and turnaround time when changing from product to product. The training will continue to lead them in the right direction regarding increasing workloads, helping them maintain their reputation and keeping them a leader in their industry, thus possibly growing with the demand for their service. This training is an ongoing continuous improvement plan developed with their corporate office. They have started implementing Lean processes into the daily operations and are starting to see quality results, leading them to be able to obtain more orders and grow their company.

Chance Fisher participated in the Job Training Economic Development (JTED) program at Nicor Gas, a rigorous work-based learning experience. Throughout the program, Chance showed remarkable growth and strength of character despite being new to the company culture and the nature of work. He worked tirelessly to understand the reading material, collaborate with his peers, and deliver his best performance.

As part of his assignments, Chance was required to complete homework, create elevated pitches, and participate in projects each week. These tasks allowed him to develop his public speaking skills by presenting to his classmates and company partners. The exposure to different audiences helped him to build his confidence and learn how to engage effectively with others.

Through trials and tribulations, Chance completed his work-based learning and graduated from the academy. His hard work and dedication paid off when he was offered a job with Nicor Gas as a Customer Service Representative. This is a testament to how far perseverance and determination can take you.

Chance's story inspires others who may be facing similar challenges. His remarkable growth and determination to succeed demonstrate that you can overcome any obstacle with hard work and faith in yourself. Nicor Gas and the JTED program provided Chance with the tools and resources he needed to succeed, and he made the most of these opportunities. His success is a testament to the power of work-based learning programs and their benefits to individuals looking to develop their skills and advance their careers.