CHICAGO — (July 31, 2023) - City Colleges of Chicago, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), announced today a new collaboration that will offer a free Continuing Education course through Olive-Harvey College: Chicago Department of Aviation Career Prep.  

"This collaboration between the CDA and City Colleges has launched a transformative continuing education program that will introduce students to the multitude of diverse and exciting careers within the aviation sector, empowering our students to reach new heights and promising careers," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "Education gives new wings to our students and professionals, and I'm excited to see them soar toward countless opportunities." 

“Every day, thousands of Chicagoland residents work in the vibrant aviation sector, which contributes tens of billions of dollars to the Chicago economy and keeps America flying. Sifting through the career possibilities can be daunting so that’s why we created this online class,” said President Kimberly Hollingsworth, Olive-Harvey College. “The course will go a long way in introducing people to the many career paths available not only at the CDA, but the dozens of employers that keep O’Hare and Midway running.” 

The two-hour virtual class will be taught from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays for four consecutive weeks. It begins on August 5 and concludes August 26. To register, click here.  

“Under the leadership of Mayor Johnson, the CDA is committed to inspiring and developing the next generation of ground crews, concession owners, cargo employees and airport administrators,” said Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee of the CDA, which owns and operates both O’Hare and Midway International Airports. “This new course with City Colleges is the beginning of what I know can be a tremendous partnership to connect young students and midcareer professionals with the thousands of employment opportunities at our two world-class airports.” 

The course provides students with a foundation to prepare for a career in the many facets of the aviation profession. The course will cover the history of the Chicago Department of Aviation, aviation terminology, and current trends and career paths in the industry. 

Course Objectives: 

• Review the process to apply to the Chicago Department of Aviation 
• Review the history of the Chicago Department of Aviation 
• Provide an understanding of the various opportunities at the Chicago Department of Aviation 
• Review the various aviation terms that make the airport safe and secure 
• Review federal safety and security regulations that govern the Department and industry overall 
• Explain the federal regulatory requirements for the Chicago Department of Aviation 
• Explain the difference between landside aviation operations and airline aviation operations 
• Review what the Chicago Department of Aviation is looking for on resumes for various positions 

Course Outline: 

• Week 1: History of the Chicago Department of Aviation, why aviation and the future of the industry, introduction to the job application 
• Week 2: Aviation language, safety and security, regulatory requirements 
• Week 3: Landside operations and airline operations, terminal management and customer relations, airfield and airspace overview 
• Week 4: Review the job application, aviation ready resume, Chicago Department of Aviation discussion with special guest speaker, complete application 

A complete list of current job openings with the CDA is available online. Additional details about the CDA’s youth engagement initiatives can be found at FlyChicago.com. 

City Colleges of Chicago’s vision is to be recognized as the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity – empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city. Learn more about City Colleges of Chicago at www.ccc.edu, and to read more about City Colleges of Chicago 2021-2025 Strategic Plan Framework, visit www.ccc.edu/strategicplan or click here.  

About Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA):   

 The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) owns and operates one of the world's busiest airport systems, comprised of O'Hare and Midway International Airports. Chicago's airports offer service to more than 250 nonstop destinations worldwide, including 47 foreign countries, combined. Together, Chicago's airports serve more than 105 million passengers each year and generate approximately $70 billion in annual economic activity for the region. The CDA is self-supporting, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at either airport. For more information, visit www.flychicago.com.