Photo Courtesy of Eden Career Institute
Eden Career Institute, a faith-based nonprofit focused on providing vocational education and technical skills training, is proud to announce its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 21. The ceremony will take place at mHUB Chicago, located at 1623 W. Fulton St., Chicago, IL 60612. Registration and check-in will begin at 5 p.m.; pre-registration is preferred, but walk-ins will be accepted. A networking reception with light fare will start at 5:30 p.m.
The ceremony will highlight remarks from Dr. Bill Winston, founder of Eden Career Institute and senior pastor of Living Word Christian Center, alongside Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who will both serve as keynote speakers. Following their addresses, a formal ribbon-cutting will take place in ECI’s new classroom space, symbolizing the start of an exciting new chapter in workforce development for the community.
Attendees are invited to tour mHUB’s state-of-the-art facilities, engage with trade and technical careers experts and participate in prize raffles. The event is free and open to the public, offering a unique opportunity to learn more about Eden Career Institute’s mission and programs.
Founded by Dr. Winston, Eden Career Institute seeks to be a transformative force in vocational training, providing students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in today’s competitive job market. With a vision inspired by Booker T. Washington, Dr. Winston developed ECI to help eradicate poverty, reduce income insufficiency, and enhance quality of life by producing graduates with highly valued, in-demand skills. Eden Career Institute is proud to collaborate with corporate partners such as Gary East Side Community Development Corporation, McKinley and Company, Best Diamond Plastics, Green Mile EV, and Genesis Construction to support a comprehensive and industry-aligned training experience.
“Studies show that in the near future, 80% of new jobs may not require a four-year degree. Employers are increasingly shifting toward skills-based hiring and vocational credentials,” Dr. Winston noted. “Hearing this affirmed the importance of the classes and certification programs we offer at Eden Career Institute. ECI is here to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in today’s workforce.”
Eden Career Institute focuses on career placement and military/veteran citizen re-entry with a student-centered, hands-on learning approach anchored on an industry-relevant curriculum. Some of the target audiences ECI serves are veterans, active military personnel, women, people re-entering society and mature adults seeking to switch careers.
“We are excited to launch our apprenticeship programs at Eden Career Institute, which will empower individuals to gain hands-on experience while developing essential skills for their chosen careers. This initiative reflects our commitment to workforce development and our belief in the potential of every apprentice,” said Dr. LaShondra Kyle, executive director of Eden Career Institute. “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this important milestone as we work together to shape the future of our workforce and economy.”
Dr. LaShondra Kyle (Photo Courtesy of Eden Career Institute).
Eden Career Institute opened its doors in September, accepting applications and signups for the on-site location and self-paced, online certificate programs. The on-site certified apprenticeship program is held at mHUB Chicago. This program is authorized by the Department of Labor, and corporate sponsors pay for the training tuition. For more information about ECI’s on-site and online vocational career offerings, visit www.edencareerinstitute.com.