Bridge/Career Foundations

Students taking ESL and high school equivalency (GED® or HiSET®) classes may be able to take courses for college credit at reduced cost through our Career Bridge and Gateway programs.                   

In our Career Bridge program, students prepare to earn their high school equivalency degree (GED® or HiSET®) while learning about a career in the fields below.  In some cases, students can earn a professional certificate that can be used to work immediately: such as ServSave (food sanitation) or forklift certifications.           

• ​Healthcare
• Transportation, distribution and logistics (forklift certification)
• Manufacturing
• Information technology (IT)
• Early Childhood Education
• Culinary/hospitality (food sanitation certification)

• Meet for 18+ hours a week for 2 semesters
• Include the math, language arts, social studies, and science information students need to succeed on the GED® or HiSET®​ tests
• Introduce students to career information. In some cases, students can earn a professional certificate that can be used to work immediately: such as ServSave (food sanitation) or forklift certifications.
• Allow students to take a free credit course during the second semester of the program

            

            

Information Technology            

In this program, students learn about topics like Internet security, how data is collected and used, artificial intelligence, and more.                       

Students can go on to earn a certificate or degree in areas such as:                        

• Systems Engineer
• Systems Administrator
• Computer Programmer
• Systems Analyst

Culinary and Hospitality

Kennedy-King College                  

                  

In this program, students learn about topics like Chicago's tourism plan, hotel management, recipes and more. Students earn a sanitation certificate in addition to taking a credit class.

Students can go on to earn a certificate or degree in areas such as:            

• Hospitality Management
• Food Service Manager
• Culinary Arts

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Early Childhood Education
Harry S Truman College           

In this program students learn about topics like child psychology, classroom management techniques, nutrition, and more.            

                   

Students can go on to earn a certificate or degree in areas such as:                  

• Assistant Teacher
• Pre-school Teacher
• Head Teacher

           

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.