For the second year in a row, Triton College, 2000 S. 5th Ave. in River Grove, received a $1 million Workforce Equity Initiative Grant from the Illinois Community College Board, Triton officials announced on Dec. 2.

The grant allows residents who live in the college’s district, which includes Forest Park, to enroll tuition-free in order to receive training and industry certification in a variety of occupational fields, including automotive, business, health care, information technology and horticulture.

Students who qualify for the program can apply to one of 13 pre-selected certificate programs. The programs can be completed in a year.

Students also receive assistance with applying and enrolling, resume-writing and career counseling, among other services, Triton officials said.

“The grant allows the college to provide access to education for those who have the desire to upgrade their skills, but have limited resources,” said Mary-Rita Moore, Triton College president, in a statement.

“We are committed to serving the community and strengthening the local workforce,” Moore said. “The grant renewal helps to close the education gap and makes access to earning higher wages more equitable.”

Lee Jackson, executive director of the Workforce Equity Initiative, said the grant comes “at a time when unemployment rates are high,” adding that the program “presents an opportunity for students to switch careers or advance in their current role.”

The 13 short-term certificate programs that Triton has selected for Equity grant recipients include:

•      Sterile Processing Technician

•      Emergency Medical Technician

•      Phlebotomy Technician

•      EKG Technician

•      Medical Billing and Coding Specialist

•      Nurse Assistant

•      Dental Assistant

•      Pharmacy Technician

•      Commercial Vehicle Technology (CVT) Diesel Brake and Suspension Repair

•      Windows Programming

•      Bookkeeper

•      Commercial Pesticide Applicator

•      Contact Tracing

Anyone interested in learning more about the Workforce Equity Initiative Grant can call 708-456-0300, ext. 3016, or email: wei@triton.edu.