Youth in the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice are earning vocational certifications in fields such as solar installation, personal training, shipping and receiving, construction and culinary arts.
The classes, offered by community partners, also cover topics such as public speaking, podcast production, music production, audio engineering and constitutional law, according to a community announcement.
The programs are designed to help youth build skills and knowledge while incarcerated, increasing their employability upon release.
Solar installation training program
Two young adults at the Illinois Youth Center in Harrisburg were the first graduates of a new solar installation program developed in partnership with D&D Electric. Youth who complete the program will have the opportunity for full-time employment with D&D Electric upon release.
“At D&D Electric, we are honored to be part of a program that gives young men the opportunity to turn their potential into possibility,” D&D Electric program manager Justin Roberts said in the announcement. “Through training in solar design, installation and leadership skills, we’re proud to help them take their first steps toward meaningful careers in the clean energy industry. Their determination and growth inspire us every day, and we are privileged to support them in building brighter futures.”
Personal training certification
Over the past 18 months, 15 youth at the PEACE Center in St. Charles have earned certifications as personal trainers. Staff from Northern Illinois University’s Department of Kinesiology work with youth through their Project Flex program and in conjunction with the International Sports Sciences Association. The program also helps youth prepare for interviews and find jobs in the field upon release, according to the announcement.
Shipping and receiving certification
Nine youth at the Illinois Youth Center in Chicago have earned certifications through a partnership with Greater West Town Project over the past 18 months. Participants earn certifications from the National Safety Council’s forklift operator training that also include a 10-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration certification.
Pre-apprenticeship program
Quad County Urban League YouthBuild offers certifications in OSHA 10, the National Center for Construction Education & Research Core and CPR/First Aid to youth at the PEACE Center in St. Charles. At the end of the 10 weeks, graduating trainees are equipped with the certifications necessary to enter a Department of Labor certified apprenticeship in one of the building trades. Twelve youth have recently completed the NCCER portion of the program, and 13 have completed the OSHA 10 and CPR/First Aid certifications, according to the announcement.
Construction certification
Youth at the PEACE Center in St. Charles can earn certifications in multiple construction classes. In the past year, 15 youth earned certificates in introduction to construction, seven earned basic carpentry certificates, three youth earned residential wiring certificates and four youth earned blueprint reading certificates.
Culinary arts certification
Youth at the Illinois Youth Center in Chicago, Illinois Youth Center in Warrenville and PEACE Center in St. Charles are working with EDDR Corporation to earn food safety certifications. The first two cohorts are expected to complete their programs this month.
Curt’s Café in Evanston offers hands-on training in both back-of-house and front-of-house operations for interns from Illinois Youth Center in Chicago. At Illinois Youth Center in Harrisburg, Lake Land Community College offers certificate programs in culinary arts, according to the announcement.
Additional skill-building programs
In addition to vocational programs, partnerships with community organizations are helping youth learn valuable skills to contribute to their future success.
The University of Chicago Law School offers a non-credit constitutional law class for youth at Illinois Youth Center in Chicago. Professor Emily Buss, with the help of her law students, has offered the course twice over the past two years to a total of approximately 25 youth.
Classes in public speaking and podcast production are offered at the PEACE Center by New Life Centers. Young Music Giants teaches youth music production, audio engineering, vocal recording, performance, publishing, marketing, content creation and distribution in the context of a violence prevention program to youth at the PEACE Center.
Youth at Illinois Youth Center in Warrenville and Illinois Youth Center in Chicago work on developing their creative potential through writing, music and art with the help of Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative. Safe Humane Chicago works with youth at Illinois Youth Center in Chicago to teach them to bond with, socialize and train shelter dogs to help them become more adoptable.
This story was created by reporter Abreanna Blose, ablose@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on Lincoln Courier: Vocational programs support youth rehabilitation
2025-09-04 10:01:00