THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE RELEASE
ABOVE:
Back row, left to right: Prof. Doug Hunter, Mohammad Abudayya, Damon Allison, Camron Edwards, Andrew Skovran, Hayden Thomason, Eric Trimble, Prof. Troy Wiley, Prof. Ben Jun.
Middle, left to right: Kyle Franklin, Myron Adams, Deegan Albert, Nathaniel Thomas Lorenz Tiu, Kenyada Willoughby, Aiyana Austin, Jared Baker.
Front, left to right: Diamond White, Quinton Shade, Taevon McClyde, Program Administrative Asst. Natasha Pounds
Not pictured: Kenneth Pyle, Astacio Mullins
DANVILLE – Danville Area Community College (DACC) celebrated the graduation of the 4th cohort of the Illinois WORKS Pre-Apprenticeship Program on Thursday, December 12, in the Technology Center. A total of 19 students graduated from the program, which began at the start of the fall semester and ran for 16 weeks, with classes held Monday through Thursday for 3 hours each day. These students earned $14.50 an hour while attending school.
The Illinois WORKS Pre-Apprenticeship Program, offered in partnership with DACC, prepares participants for registered apprenticeships in high-demand trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and construction. Students earn valuable trade experience and certifications while completing 18 college credit hours toward a traditional degree. Graduates have the opportunity to continue their education at DACC or enter the workforce immediately.
The program is funded by an Illinois WORKS Pre-Apprenticeship grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IDCEO). Over the past two years, DACC has received more than $850,000 to support the program and has applied for funding for a third grant year.
The program is currently accepting applications for limited seats in the 5th cohort, which will begin on January 22, 2025.
“The Nation and the State of Illinois recognize the skilled labor shortage,” said Professor Doug Hunter, Illinois WORKS Program Coordinator at DACC. “The Illinois Works grant is a program designed to help alleviate that problem. Good jobs are going unfilled, and the prognosis is that the problem will continue unless additional steps are taken to promote skilled trades. DACC has partnered with Illinois Works to recruit and prepare students to enter DOL-registered apprenticeship programs throughout the State.”