Illinois Tollway partners with Olive-Harvey College to encourage students to consider Tollway careers
The Illinois Tollway’s Alsip M-1 maintenance site staff recently opened their doors to students from Olive-Harvey College to introduce them to career opportunities offered by the Tollway and the transportation industry.
Students enrolled in the Automotive Technology Program at the South Side college along with faculty members toured the Tollway’s state-of-the-art roadway maintenance site to better understand the work done by the mechanics, equipment-operator/laborers and other staffers responsible for roadway services and maintain on the southern leg of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294/I-80).
“We want to create a mutually beneficial pathway that educates students about the skills and training needed to qualify for positions at the Tollway while also furthering our goal of hiring more qualified applicants to strengthen our workforce,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “This outreach helps us build a pipeline of potential applicants from local institutions and neighboring communities to raise awareness of the careers available at the Tollway.”
Tollway staff on site shared details about their work and skills needed on the job and offered information on opportunities available for careers in the technical trades with the Tollway at its maintenance sites and in different agency locations. The vocational training the students are receiving could help qualify them to work at Tollway maintenance sites as mechanics, equipment operator/laborers—who drive plows and operate other heavy roadway equipment—automotive attendants or parts clerks.
Technical training in electrical and mechanical fields also could assist students seeking to work in the Tollway’s building maintenance section, which installs, maintains and repairs electrical equipment and other building systems at Tollway oases and other facilities.
Outreach is intended to introduce students in vocational and technical programs from around the Chicago area to the crucial roadway operations performed at the Tollway’s maintenance sites and give them a close-up look at the equipment needed to carry out that work and an opportunity to speak with Tollway employees about their duties and responsibilities.
The agency operates 12 maintenance sites located across its 294-mile roadway system that house staff and equipment, including plows, Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks, maintenance trucks and other heavy equipment needed to assist and protect Tollway customers and keep roads in good operating condition.
The Tollway’s goal is to highlight the career opportunities and inform students about the requirements needed to fill those jobs—as well as providing information about applying for those positions. Students received tips on going through the application process and information about assistance provided by the Tollway, including help for students working to obtain their commercial drivers licenses.
Career education and outreach serve as an additional step in helping increase the diversity of candidates applying for Tollway positions, as well as another step to encourage applicants to seek jobs at sites that have positions open.