National Able/IT Career Lab's training leading to apprenticeship is off to a strong start.  For example, student Sherita has completed two semesters of the Cisco Certified Networking Associate training in just two months.  This training typically takes at least one full semester at the community college level, but Sherita has passed BOTH semesters with grades above 85% in just two months.  She is well on her way to obtaining the official, industry-recognized Cisco CCNA certificate, which will set her up very nicely for entry into either a Computer User or Computer Network Support apprenticeship via Cisco Meraki or other employer partners of National Able Network.  

Luboslav was laid off from his job as a LYFT driver in April 2020 in the early months of the COVID19 epidemic when demand for ride services abruptly dropped off.  After exhausting his unemployment benefits, he applied to McHenry County Workforce Network for assistance with training to obtain his CDL A license.  With the increasing demand for truck drivers, Lubo planned to obtain his CDL license and begin a new career with a self-sustaining wage to support his family of 4.  Successfully completing his CDL A training with Expert Driving School Inc. in Chicago, Lubo earned his CDL A license with a Hazmat endorsement on 3/3/22.  He obtained full-time employment on 4/5/22 as a truck driver with a general freight trucking company. 

Daniel came into the program after having been laid off from his low-growth occupation of Operations Manager in a low-growth industry.  His career goal was computer and information systems project manager, which is a high-growth occupation.  He pursued training for project management training through MicroTrain.  He successfully completed his training program with the following credentials:  Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management, ScrumAlliance Certified ScrumMaster, ScrumAlliance Certified Scrum Product Owner, and Certificate of Completion for Certified Associate in Project Management.  Following completion of his training program, Daniel started full-time employment working as a Project Manager.  

Amanda was a single mom who was out of work. She inquired about the CNA industry and after hearing more about our program enrolled in the class. Through our scholarship, she was able to receive her tuition, books, clinical supplies, and gas paid for so she had no out of pockets costs to obtain her diploma. After obtaining her certification, she quickly became employed at Accolade Healthcare as a CNA. 

Cory was referred to our program by Heartland Community College. He had no recent work history and needed to upgrade his skills in order to find self-sustaining employment. After completing a drug test and physical in order to identify he was capable of pursuing employment in the trucking industry, Cory enrolled in a CDL class. It was a hardship traveling nearly 500 miles per week to get to class; however, with help from our gas reimbursement program, he was able to make it work. In just over 4 weeks, he obtained his CDL and was employed by Nussbaum Trucking the following week. 

Heartland Community College recently welcomed sixty-eight new students to campus as part of the $1M Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) grant awarded to the college by The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) to engage African American, Latinx, and low-income learners to get career training that can move them quickly into the workforce. WEI Scholars joined program staff, faculty, and local employer partners for a kick-off event to become familiar with the campus, get their official student IDs, and begin building the relationships that will carry them through their program and into their future careers. The program launch contributed to a 21.2% increase in minority student enrollment over Summer 2021 and an 80.4% increase in new minority student enrollment. The WEI program also contributed to the 22.9% increase in enrollment in applied associates degree and certificate programs over Summer 2021.

The Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) was established in 2019 as an innovative partnership with ICCB, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, and 17 community colleges. The WEI consortium works to create, support, and expand job training opportunities for areas with identified workforce skills gaps. Sixty-eight WEI scholars started classes for Summer 2022 and 85 scholars are currently enrolled for the Fall 2022 semester with 685 credit hours planned.

High-impact programs develop and foster the skills of individuals that are looking to retool their job skills or directly entering into the workforce. The programs of study supported by the WEI program are designed to create a quick pathway to occupations earning 30% above the area living wage and can lead to future career advancement through Heartland’s Apprenticeship program. The WEI programs primarily fall into three categories:

• Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades (examples include Building Maintenance, Construction, EV Energy Storage, Truck Driving, Welding)
• Heath Care (examples are Certified Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, Phlebotomist
• Finance & Business Services (examples are Bookkeeping, Computer Networking Support Specialist, Enrolled Agent/Tax Preparer)

The Workforce Equity Initiative grant will serve a maximum of 145 learners in 2022, 60 percent of whom must be African American.

The grant will fund not only tuition for learners accepted into the program, but also a series of services including success coaching and career navigation support, fees and technology support, transportation, and childcare needs.

Heartland offers 53 Workforce stackable certificates and credentials leading to immediate careers and building towards an Associate degree. Prospective learners who are interested in workforce programs may be eligible for a number of scholarship opportunities. Visit heartland.edu for more information.

Jadon Small was referred to the Workforce Development Group of St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department by our partnering group, Community Services Block Grant. He was a Senior in high school and would sleep on the couch of whomever would allow him to stay a night or two. Jadon was enrolled in the WIOA Youth Program and under Paid Work Experience went to work at Soulcial Kitchen in Swansea. Through incentives, such as gas cards to help cover the cost of transportation, Jadon was able to demonstrate his work ethic and culinary skills. Despite the adversity Jadon was facing, his amazing character shined through and Soulcial Kitchen added Jadon as a full-time staff member after Jadon’s graduation in May. Jadon, who recently turned 18, is now participating through the On-the-Job Training program, in Soulcial Kitchen’s Food Truck Operator apprenticeship and operates a food truck.

John Michel of Soulcial Kitchen said, “Jadon is a blessing to have on our team which enables this business to bless others.”

Before becoming a Project Hire-Ed apprentice, I had been taking general education courses at the College of DuPage and was considering a degree in social media marketing. I changed my mind when I realized that automation in manufacturing was a secure career with a lot of opportunities. My father had always worked with his hands, and I knew that I wanted a career where I would always be needed. A career in electromechanical technology and mechatronics sounded like the right path for me. 

I came across Project Hire-Ed while taking classes in my field, and found out that I could start getting career experience right away. I applied and got matched very quickly with M&R Print, my employer. I was able to start a new job getting experience while continuing to take classes. They are also paying my tuition and fees, which is a big plus.

The classes and the faculty are great. I am taking classes in the lab, working on machines in small groups, which is a great way to learn teamwork. The instructors let us work on our own and find solutions, and they step in when we need suggestions or guidance. It’s a great way to learn how to (and how not to) do things on these machines. You really learn as you go and use the experience at work at the same time. It’s a great model.

Project Hire-Ed has been really good at communicating with me throughout my experience. They let me know what I need to be looking out for next, keeping on top of my coursework so I can graduate quickly. I am about to finish my Applied Technology certificate and am also continuing my schooling to earn a certificate in Programmable Logic Controllers as well as my associate’s degree in Electro-Mechanical Technology.

For anyone curious about this program, I highly recommend it for people wanting an early hands-on experience. Make sure to research companies before meeting them. Make sure it’s the move you want to make. No matter what, a Project Hire-Ed apprenticeship is a great experience that’s really worth it.

Hannah was referred to our program by one of her teachers. She had never worked before but was a good student and knew she would be an asset to an employer if given the opportunity. Her strengths and interests made her a good fit for the Enrichment department at Fairview Haven. The experience proved successful because she earned her high school diploma, and once she completed her allowed time on our program, Fairview Haven hired her on directly.

Brandon inquired about our services because he was looking for more opportunities. He had longevity with his employer and enjoyed working there but was interested in options to help him be promoted. He was currently earning a wage that was not self-sufficient for his family but if he obtained his Commercial Driver’s License he could see an increase in his wage. Although his training took a little longer than anticipated due to COVID shutdowns, he was able to complete the CDL program while working full time.  He was promoted and received the wage increase.

Kaitlyn wanted to travel. With the transportation industry booming following COVID, it was a great time to turn that hobby into a career. The Travel Specialist program at the International Air and Hospitality Academy was an opportunity for Kaitlyn to become trained in 5 short months. Her goal of achieving her certificate so that she could work for an airline and eventually be promoted to a travel agent worked as planned. She was hired by the Dallas Fort Worth Airport within weeks of finishing her program.

On May 12^th, 2022, Madison County Employment and Training (LWIA 22) and the St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department (LWIA 24) combined to host a Regional Healthcare Roundtable event at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, Illinois.

The event brought regional employers, educators, apprentices, and community-based organizations, together with the public to discuss building a talent pipeline that could support the healthcare sector. The event focused on using work-based learning strategies as a supplement to strategies already in place.  Current apprentices and employers using Registered Apprenticeships (RA’s) spoke about the value and return on investment that RA’s provide. 

The event drew over sixty participants and led to a healthy discussion on how the region can come together to recruit, train, and retain employees from diverse and underutilized talent pools.  LWIA’s 22 and 24 have hosted several other roundtable events this year including one for returning citizens (individuals with justice involvement) and one focused on supply chain and logistics. Additional sector-based roundtables are scheduled for 2022 in education, construction, manufacturing, and apprenticeships.

The roundtable events have proven to be a great way to bring partners together to discuss challenges, opportunities, and best practices.

On May 11^th and May 12^th, 2022 Rend Lake College, located in Ina, IL, and Kaskaskia College, located in Centralia, IL, partnered in hosting an In-Person Apprenticeship Open House for the Industry Consortium for Advanced Technical Training (ICATT) at their respective campuses. ICATT works in tandem with the Mount Vernon, IL Continental Tire Plant to provide Continental Tire with exceptional candidates for the apprenticeship program hosted through RLC and Kaskaskia. This relationship between ICATT, Continental Tire, and the area community colleges is mutually beneficial for all parties involved, and the event provided local residents the opportunity to learn more about the program, how it relates to the community college, and to even apply for jobs with Continental Tire on the spot.

The event featured guests from both ICATT and Continental Tire. The individual from ICATT informed attendees about the application process for both ICATT and Continental Tire while employees from Continental Tire were able to display one of their robots that is utilized on their production lines. This was an example of one of the types of machinery that students graduating with an Associate’s Degree in Industrial Electronics and Maintenance can expect to work on once they are in their field of work.

Continental Tire is a German based company who is not unfamiliar with the Apprenticeship Model. It is common practice in Germany for there to be an Apprenticeship Program built into their education system that combines hands-on training with the learning practices that come from traditional education. By embracing this model in the United States, Continental Tire and ICATT are giving individuals from our area a great employment opportunity while they continue their education. This opens the door to future opportunities that apprenticeship students will feel confident in pursuing.