Start Your Career with City Colleges of Chicago

City Colleges of Chicago’s Career Bridge Program helps students improve their reading, writing, math, and English skills while earning an industry certificate that can lead to entry-level job opportunities and careers in one of the following areas:                 

 

  • Daley College: Early Childhood Education; Manufacturing; Community Health Worker – Bilingual (English/Spanish)*; and Construction
  • ​Truman College: Early Childhood Education; and Construction
  • Kennedy-King College: Early Childhood Education; Culinary & Hospitality – English and Spanish cohorts; Construction; Information Technology* and HVAC*
  • Malcolm X College: Basic Nursing Assistant, Community Health Worker; and Construction
  • Olive-Harvey College: Healthcare; Supply Chain and Transportation Technology; Early Childhood Education; and Construction
  • Wright College: Basic Nursing Assistant; Manufacturing*; Information Technology*; and Construction                                                    

 

*Launched Spring 2024​​​​​​​​​​​​

Career Bridge Courses

Career Bridge programs are tuition-free.

Students can complete the program in as few as 1-2 semesters.

How to Apply                                                                          

  • Complete the Bridge Student Interest Form - Bridge Student Interest Form​
  • If you need help with your application, head to our Virtual Student Services​. You can click on your college to contact its Adult Education department directly or find general assistance via the live chat.​       ​​​                                      

Benefit in the Career Bridge with Career Grow Chicago

Students participating in the Adult Education Career Bridges can receive additional supports through the Career Grow Chicago Initiative. Click here to learn more.    

Career Bridge Program Details

 

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Healthcare                                                                                                    
Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Wright – Humboldt Park, Richard J Daley College- Arturo Velazquez Institute                              
                                                                                           
Program length: 2-4 semesters                                 
                                                                                                
Earned credentials and possible entry-level jobs available after completing this Career Bridge program include Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Community Health Worker ($15-$20/hour).  

     

                                             
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Supply Chain and Transportation Technology
Olive-Harvey College                                                                                      
                                   
Program length: 1-2 semesters                                 
                                                                            
Earned credentials and possible entry-level jobs available after completing this Career Bridge program include forklift operator and Commercial Driver’s License-B (CDL-B) ($16-$20/hour).     

     

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Early Childhood Education
Harry S. Truman College, Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, and Olive-Harvey College                                     
Program length: 2 – 5 semesters​                              
                                                                      
Earned credentials and possible entry-level jobs after completing this Career Bridge program include Illinois Gateways Level 1, Level 2 to work as a childcare center worker ($15-$23/hour).  

        

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Advanced Manufacturing                      
Richard J. Daley College, Arturo Velasquez Institute, and Wright-Humboldt Park                 
                       
Program length: 2                      
                    
Earned credential and possible entry-level job available after completing this Career Bridge program include the National Coalition of Certification Center (NC3) ($15-$20/hour)                        
                  
Earned credentials and possible entry-level jobs** available after completing this Career Bridge program include forklift operator and Commercial Driver’s License-B (CDL-B) ($16-$20/hour).                           
                  
**Additional credentials required   

  

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Construction                      
Kennedy-King, Malcolm X, Truman, Olive-Harvey, and Wilbur Wright, and Richard J Daley College           
                       
Program length: 1- 4 semesters                             
                                                                    
Earned credentials and possible entry-level jobs after completing this Career Bridge program include OSHA-10, HVAC, and Flagger credentials to work as a general laborer, and heating and cooling professional ($15-$20/hour). 

   

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Culinary                      
Kennedy-King College                  

           

                    
Program length: 2 semesters                              
                                                                    
Earned credentials and possible entry-level jobs after completing this Career Bridge program include ServSafe to work as a prep chef ($15-$20/hour).  

   

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Information Technology (IT)                      
Kennedy-King College and Wright-Humboldt Park                     

           

                    
Program length: 2-3 semesters                             
                                                                    
Earned credentials and possible entry-level jobs after completing this Career Bridge program include CompTIA IT Fundamentals to work as an entry level help desk worker**($15-$23/hour).                    
                     
**Additional credentials required  
      

Gateway to the City Colleges of Chicago: Take College Courses at a Reduced Cost

In the Gateway to City Colleges of Chicago Program, Career Bridge completers and other eligible Adult Education students receive reduced tuition and supportive services as they transition into credit certificate and degree programs. Gateway scholars’ tuition for credit courses is reduced by half for four semesters, for up to 3 years, and can be used as a last dollar scholarship for those who have applied for Financial Aid.      
 
Use the address below to email your colleges’ Adult Education department.