THE FOLLOWING IS AN EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL RELEASE
Saturday ceremony includes two who already have job offers from local unions
A graduation ceremony is set for Saturday, recognizing 18 Danville residents who have successfully completed a pre-apprenticeship program, gaining skills needed to earn a career with local trade unions – and two graduates have already earned union jobs.
The ceremony is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Danville Area Community College’s Bremer Conference Center, 2000 E. Main St. in Danville. Illinois State Rep. Brandun Schweizer will serve as the keynote speaker.
The statewide Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program is managed locally by the East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council, in partnership with HIRE360.
Over 13 weeks, the pre-apprentices are paid a stipend as they spend 16 hours each week learning hands-on skills, earn workplace certifications and job interview coaching. They also meet union leaders and visit job sites like wind farms, solar farms and other clean-energy construction jobs.
The program began last year and targets those over 17-½ who are facing financial hardships or come from underrepresented communities, as well as those who’ve previously been incarcerated or those who were in foster care. Students receive individualized mentorship, case management and qualify for reimbursement for barrier-reduction costs,
like transportation, childcare, as well as tools and equipment needed to start their careers.
This Saturday’s graduates, all from Danville, are Tavion Boyd, Daevion Callahan, David Carey, Shamus Davis, Bill Dickerson, Demetrious Groves, Andres Harvey, Avery Hill, Kevin Jones, Major Jones, Dominick Kinchen, Kareem Mohammad, Cedric Moore, Jarrod Raimer, Stephen Reed, Alontae Rogers, Derek Wayne and Aaron Withers.
Avery Hill has already accepted a job offer from Bricklayers Local 8, while Derek Wayne has started work for Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 157.
They are among 25 program participants who have earned union careers in the last 12 months. During that time, nearly 200 East Central Illinois residents have enrolled in Champaign and Danville classes, with a 69% graduation rate. All graduates have earned certifications like OSHA-10 and First Aid.
Applications are available at www.builtunion.com
