On November 20, 2024, during National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), Heartland Community College hosted a memorable apprenticeship signing event in the Community Commons Building. The ceremony marked a significant milestone for 26 new apprentices and six employer partners in the Manufacturing, Healthcare, and IT industries.
The event opened with a powerful speech from Heartland Community College's President Keith Cornille, who highlighted the transformative role of apprenticeships in workforce development and community growth:
"Apprenticeships offer a direct pipeline for employers to strengthen their workforce with tailored, high-quality talent. Community colleges such as Heartland are uniquely suited to feed this pipeline. Since 2019, Heartland has added over 40 certificates or degrees focused on filling the needs of a growing industry, the expanding healthcare workforce, and the gaps that retiring trade specialists are creating. Our industry partners support their employees in apprenticeship programs because they know it is a sound investment in the most valuable asset: quality employees. We are fortunate to have several great employers who understand that value. Our student apprentices have been impressive and should be commended for their hard work on this educational journey. Their efforts to seize this opportunity, to develop new training and skills, and their commitment to professional development are the characteristics that employers are always seeking.”
Jake Banks, a proud graduate of Heartland’s Tool and Die Maker apprenticeship program shared his journey and the importance of perseverance in the trades:
“It’s hot. It’s dirty. You’re working. You’re sweating. It sucks. Not ‘gonna lie to you. But the rewards are endless through perseverance, determination, and dedication to the craft.”
Chris Hardy, Maintenance Manager at Bridgestone, one of Heartland’s employer partners, highlighted the success of their apprenticeship program, which has evolved from a six-year model to an efficient three-year program. Hardy credited the partnership with Heartland for this streamlined, impactful approach.
The event also symbolized a new chapter for the 26 apprentices who will continue to “earn while they learn,” gaining hands-on experience in their respective industries while progressing toward graduation in the coming years. Community interest in the event was strong, with WGLT, a local radio station, attending to spotlight the apprentices and their employer partners. Heartland Community College’s apprenticeship program exemplifies the power of collaboration in workforce development. By offering tailored education and fostering partnerships with local employers, the program is building a skilled and prepared workforce to meet the challenges of today’s industries.
Apprenticeship opportunities are unique because they allow individuals to grow their skills from the ground up while earning a living wage and having their education paid for, all while folding in support services to ensure success. In short, apprenticeship opportunities can change lives. Ayman Faruqi is no stranger to the life-changing benefits of apprenticeship.
Faruqi has worked as a Software Development apprentice with Northwestern Medicine for the past year through the Project Hire-Ed apprenticeship program at the College of DuPage. Being an apprentice has allowed him to apply the skills he is learning in the classroom to real-life applications. “My technical skills, compared to what they were a year ago, have seen exponential growth. I am in a position where I take care of some projects on my own and provide any contribution to my team.” He is also proud that his work “could somehow bring about a change in someone’s life.”
Sometimes, apprentices begin their program with certain expectations, such as learning new skills and gaining hands-on experience. But for Faruqi, he was surprised by all the things he didn’t anticipate! “I guess if there were one word that I would want to summarize my (apprenticeship) experience so far, it would be “new.” Yes, that may seem like a fundamental word, but it holds a lot of depth. I started knowing very little about my current role as an apprentice and did not even know what an apprenticeship was. It was something that I would not have expected to turn my life around, and I mean this in the most realistic way possible. This opportunity gave me a new perspective into the professional world, a view I think no other opportunity would have.”
The apprenticeship with Northwestern Medicine has introduced Faruqi to new technologies and work with highly skilled professionals with years of industry-leading expertise. “Having the privilege to work with them every day in a capacity to directly bring about some sort of difference in someone’s life, I think I would put this as a blessing in disguise.”
While Faruqi believes one of the best things about being an apprentice is the balance between school and work, wherein neither overpowers the other, he also encourages other apprentices to jump right in and immerse themselves in everything! “Just do it! It sounds cliche, but it is what worked for me. Learn anything you can get your hands on, ask questions, do your homework on time, be helpful and approachable, and know how to conduct yourself.”