NORMAL, IL Dec. 20, 2022 – A partnership between Heartland Community College and Rivian Automotive developed to feed the workforce pipeline have hit another milestone.

The first cohort of apprentices in the Industrial Maintenance Technician Registered Apprenticeship program at Heartland Community College have graduated with new skills to return to their employer.

The six graduates are employees at Rivian Automotive LLC. The Department of Labor (DOL) Industrial Maintenance Technician RA program is designed to upscale the talents of current Rivian employees into high-demand jobs.

Employees who qualified for the program studied for their Heartland Community College Automation Technology Skills Certification and Robotics Operator Microcertificate as part of the Industrial Maintenance Technician RA program while working at the automotive company.

“My favorite part of the program has been using the skills and knowledge we learn in the classroom at my current job,” said Drake Gardner, one of the students graduating in this inaugural cohort. “I feel that after going through this program, I have more valuable skills and opportunities than before.”

Graduating in this cohort were Efrain Alberts, Brandon Clark, Max Evans, Drake Gardner, Eric Meacham, and George Ohnemus.

Upon completion of the program, the apprentices have the skills and qualifications to work as Maintenance Technicians in various departments at Rivian.

“It has been one of the highlights of my career to work with this exceptional group of apprentices,” said Art Dunn, Industrial Technology Faculty. “I am very proud of the level of skill and professionalism their hard work has developed in them.”

Heartland Community College offers nine Registered Apprentice training programs with areas of study supporting employment in advanced manufacturing, health care, agriculture, information technology, and other fields. Heartland works with various area employers to develop a tailored apprenticeship experience.

For more information about apprenticeship programs at Heartland Community College, visit Heartland Apprenticeships.