Life Changing Apprenticeship
Creation Date: 05/05/2023
Since joining Elgin Community College's (ECC) Industrial Maintenance Mechanic apprentice program, Alex Sotelo has grown his professional skills and confidence. When he first began the program over a year ago, Alex was reserved and unsure whether or not school would hold his interest. Since then, Alex has apprenticed at Tiger Drylac USA Inc. in St. Charles and is unequivocally enthusiastic about the experience, asserting, “The apprenticeship program changed my life!”
Apprenticeship allowed Alex to develop skills through experiential learning in classes (e.g., welding) and on the job. Alex says, “I love coming to school and learning about what I see and do at work. It gives me a better understanding and helps me learn faster.” Alex recognizes the experience equips him to be increasingly independent and “build a better future for myself, putting me farther ahead into a field where I am trying to be successful.”
ECC is grateful to have partnered with Tiger Drylac USA Inc. to provide Alex with class scheduling support, training, knowledge, and hands-on experience—all combined with his drive to work hard to produce a confident, competent new workforce member.