Not all jobs require a college education. With that in mind, Dr. Bill Winston, founder and senior pastor of Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, has opened a faith-based vocational education training center.

“Someone recently shared with me that in the near future, 80% of new jobs won’t require a four-year college degree,” Winston said of his reasons for opening Eden Career Institute (ECI). “In other words, many employers will focus more on skills-based or vocational hiring in the not-too-distant future. Our curriculum specializes in careers that meet the needs and demands of today’s workforce.”

Located at 7600 West Roosevelt Road, the goal of the institute is to help low wage earners qualify for better paying jobs. The institute has both online and onsite offerings.

“There are so many positions in the trades fields and there are not enough workers to fill those positions,” said ECI executive director Dr. LaShondra Kyle, who worked with Winston to bring his vision to life.

“We have an aging population of tradesmen and women who are retiring from the more traditional trades,” Kyle said. “We just want to make sure trades don’t die and that people can have a choice in where they go to school, and trades should be an option of choice.”

But beyond skills training, the institute, as a faith-based nonprofit organization, considers students’ physical, emotional, mental wellness and other needs.

“Many times, students come into class and have a variety of issues at home,” Kyle said. ‘They may have children, income issues or may be living in challenging situations. We address those issues with licensed therapists, prayer and so much more. It is about getting them to work but to get them to work well – and that’s where we believe our faith comes in. We use it as a ministry and as an outreach in addition to being a trade school.”

The institute aims to serve veterans, active military personnel, women, those reentering society and mature adults who want to change careers. Its comprehensive offerings include technical training programs and specialized courses tailored to industry needs such as advanced manufacturing, construction and renewable and sustainable technology. 

For example: ECI’s electrical vehicle curriculum trains to maintain and repair electric vehicles and related components. And its construction program combines career training with apprenticeships or related certifications recognized by national industry building trades. 

Some of the jobs the school train attendees for include welder, robotics technician, electromechanical and mechatronics technician, painters and more. 

ECI’s online courses are pay-as-you-go and self-paced.

“We offer online [courses] like cyber security, different AI pathways and several information technology pathways like network security and other [courses] to move you into positions that need different types of advanced technology,” Kyle said.

Onsite, robotics, mechatronics, electric vehicle charging station technician, and many more choices are offered.

“There are so many positions in the trades fields and there are not enough workers to fill those positions,” Kyle. 

Though the workforce trend is moving toward trade skills, ECI is not suggesting individuals not go to college.

“We’re saying this is an option to get you to work faster in those particular fields that are interesting to you and well-paid.”

Pay for many of the high-tech roles start at about $45 an hour after training is completed and can go as high as $65 to $75 an hour.

“We’re talking about $75,000 and well into six figures for salary right out of trade school,” Kyle said. “Our program is designed to address that and get you prepared for that and they last eight to 12 months.”

ECI’s apprenticeship program is similar to others you might find around the city. 

“We partnered with several corporations who are willing to pay our students a salary and pay for them to attend ECI for training,” Kyle said.

The onsite certified apprenticeship programs are held at mHUB, 1623 W. Fulton St. For more information about the onsite apprenticeship programs, visit www.mhubchicago.com. For more information on ECI, visit www.edencareerinstitute.com.