Heartland Community College, in Normal, IL, is home to the nation’s first Associate of Applied Science degree in Electric Vehicle (EV) Technology. In June 2023, Heartland hosted an EV Open House for employers, Illinois automotive technology faculty, and state agency representatives. The event included an EV employer panel, a discussion of collaborating to scale EV programs across the state, and exercises to identify top priorities for an emerging collaboration.

Following the open house, five institutions joined efforts to pursue a 2-year, $1.5 million U.S. Department of Energy Ride and Drive workforce development grant, with Governors State University as the project lead. The resulting Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Workforce and Education Exchange (EVIWEX) will develop a short-term EV Infrastructure Installer/Technician (EVIIT) training program. The training initially developed at Heartland Community College—in collaboration with the NSF ATE Center for Renewable Energy Education (CREATE) at Madison Area Technical College (WI) and the NSF ATE National Electric Vehicle Consortium (NEVC) at Indian River State College (FL) — will be adapted through additional collaboration with industry and project partners and scaled to collaborator institutions. The training will meet the Illinois Commerce Commission requirements and satisfy the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Standards and Requirements. The installer training program will also be available as a 1-year construction laborer U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship.

The EVIIT training program will build a diverse, highly skilled talent pipeline to the Illinois workforce that installs, maintains, and operates EV charging infrastructure under the supervision of qualified journey electricians. Individuals who complete the EVIIT training will be positioned to meet entry criteria to upskill in three-year journey electrician apprenticeships or academic programs.

Rend Lake College and Continental Tire welcomed a new batch of apprentices Friday who are taking advantage of this rewarding program bolstering the Southern Illinois workforce.
Officials with CTA and RLC held a press conference to recognize the 14 apprentices in the program for the Fall 2023 semester. One is a new apprentice in the Information Technology program. Nine are in their second year of the Industrial Electronics and Maintenance Technician program, and another seven are in their third year on the INEL track. It’s the largest group of CTA fall apprentices since it was offered eight years ago. With the inclusion of this new group, the total count of CTA apprentices in the program has reached an impressive 31. 
RLC President Terry Wilkerson congratulated the apprentices, along with their family members and loved ones who were there to support them. “We are proud of our students,” Wilkerson said. “It’s our job to ensure they get a good quality education, and we do that through partnerships like [Continental Tire].”
This was the first year CTA welcomed new apprentices and workers in such a grand fashion at the Mt. Vernon plant. The event included refreshments, a tour of the plant, and an appearance from State Representative Dave Severin. He has hope that, with this apprenticeship opportunity at Continental Tire, young people will see the value of staying in Southern Illinois. He said partnerships between industry and education like this lead to success and endless possibilities.
Since 2015, CTA and RLC have partnered to provide the apprenticeship opportunity. At its core, the apprenticeship initiative bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world experiences. Under the guidance of on-the-job mentors, apprentices receive hands-on opportunities to hone their technical expertise and gain insights into Continental Tire's processes.
Nick Pearce, the Plant Manager of Continental Tire in Mt. Vernon, expressed the importance of manufacturing and industrial engineering apprenticeships like the one offered at RLC and the value they hold in the future of Southern Illinois and beyond. He praised RLC for always going in with an open mind, constantly looking toward the next step, and finding ways to do better for the community and its students.
“Continental Tire shares Rend Lake College’s belief that apprenticeship is an investment in our future workforce in Southern Illinois,” said RLC Director of Apprenticeships, Community, & Corporate Education Tonya Odum. “Apprenticeship directly addresses skill shortages through tailored training programs. This not only fills immediate job vacancies but also contributes to the long-term sustainability of the workforce, enhancing the overall productivity of our region.”

Continental Tire (CT) has offered an apprenticeship program in coordination with Rend Lake College (RLC) since 2015. Tonya Odum, the Director of Apprenticeships, Community, and Corporate Education at RLC, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with area industry to offer apprenticeship opportunities because it aligns with our mission of fostering workforce development and preparing students for successful careers. […] We look forward to starting the Fall 2023 Apprenticeship cohort with Continental Tire!”

The Dual Education System's practice is based on the German Apprenticeship model, which CT founded; this model gained global recognition for its successful combination of practical work placements, theory, and hands-on application with academic training. Continental Tire believes these apprenticeships are not only beneficial for the company but also set up new employees for success.

Brody Wilson had nothing but positive things to say, “This Fall, fifteen new Rend Lake College students will embark on the apprenticeship program at Continental Tire. As newly enrolled apprentices, they can look forward to a well-structured and supportive hands-on learning experience, complementing their on-campus studies and focusing on developing essential skills and knowledge in the Industrial Electronics and Maintenance field. […] Within Continental Tire’s collaborative and supportive atmosphere, teamwork and knowledge sharing are encouraged, allowing apprentices to collaborate with experienced professionals in real-world scenarios.”

Q: Why did you choose to pursue a career as a Medical Assistant?
A: I chose to become a Medical Assistant because I have always wanted to work in healthcare and help people. Being in the healthcare field is the best way for me to care for others.

Q: What did you do before working for Shawnee Health?
A: Before working for Shawnee Health, I was a part-time secretary for a local church. Since it was part-time, I was able to focus on my apprenticeship.

Q: How did you learn about the apprenticeship?
A: My mother works for Shawnee Health and received an email about the new apprenticeship program through Shawnee; she told me about the new program, and I jumped at the opportunity.

Q: How has the apprenticeship experience been beneficial?
A: The apprenticeship allowed me to practice what I was learning as I learned it. When you can learn and then experience what you learned about firsthand, it helps you better understand.

Q: What advice would you give a new apprentice?
A: I advise any new apprentice to pay attention and try to learn as much as possible. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Be willing to try new things and learn from others.