Pre-Apprentices Gain Skills, Understanding, and Access to Apprenticeships
Creation Date: 10/21/2024
Elgin Community College (ECC) set out to design a Pre-Apprenticeship program that would benefit the community it serves - individuals seeking training that leads to employment in a shorter timeframe than traditional career training and education.
ECC's Pre-Apprenticeships core elements contain:
- Short-term - cohorts last only 7-days
- Industry-recognized credentials like OSHA-10, Forklift Driver, BLS CPR, Mental Health First Aid, and more
- Career exploration for a better understanding of long-term pathways, including employability or soft skills for the workplace
- Resume and interview skills workshops
- Opportunity to interview with local employers for open apprenticeships in a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) supported by ECC.
Since later 2023, ECC has offered eight Pre-Apprenticeship programs serving more than 75 individuals seeking careers in manufacturing or health care. The Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship prepares individuals for industrial maintenance, CNC machining, or HVAC apprenticeships, while the Health Care Pre-Apprenticeship offers a pathway to a Certified Nurse Assistant apprenticeship. Fifteen employers have partnered on the pre-apprenticeship, conducting on-site interviews with candidates and recruiting new apprentices from the pre-apprenticeship pool.
ECC's pre-apprenticeship model offers a path to industry-recognized credentials and the opportunity to interview for available apprenticeships. The shorter timeframe is a manageable commitment for most people; the credentials are obtainable within that timeframe, and the skills provide an excellent foundation for additional training or education.
Pictured are students from a summer Health Care Pre-Apprenticeship specifically for high school students interested in this career path.