In 2025, ECC began working with Consumer Credit Union to expand their apprenticeship program to the Elgin area. They had a successful unregistered apprenticeship with the College of Lake County, and CCU wanted to not only expand but get the apprenticeship DOL-Registered. ECC staff met with them multiple times over several months to finalize the course plan for an associate of applied science in business, finalize the competencies for the work process schedule, and create the wage table for a new occupation - Teller. The apprenticeship RAP was finalized and filed in the spring of 2026 and approved shortly thereafter. ECC also assisted CCU with recruitment for their first cohort of four apprentices. During the spring and summer, ECC staff worked with CCU to onboard their selected candidates, getting them enrolled at ECC and registered for their fall classes. In August, the cohort started their first semester at ECC and also began their OJT with the credit union.

Pictured is the cohort: Cesilia Varga, Amaris Garcia, Katelyn DalBello, and Chase Chandler. They are well underway with their classes and looking forward to the next two years of their apprenticeship!