THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE RELEASE
DANVILLE – Danville Area Community College (DACC) celebrated the graduation of the 7th cohort of the Illinois WORKS Pre-Apprenticeship Program on Friday, December 12, in the Bremer Theater. A total of 23 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 19 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 three years, DACC has received more than $1.4 million to support the program and recently was awarded $550,000 for another year.
The program will be accepting applications for limited seats in its 9th cohort beginning in mid-to-late February. The 8th cohort got underway January 12, 2026.
“Our graduates are walking into real opportunities right here in our region,” said Professor Doug Hunter, Illinois WORKS Program Coordinator. “Local employers are actively seeking skilled workers in the trades, and these students now have the credentials, experience, and confidence to meet that demand. The Illinois WORKS program is helping to build a pipeline of talent that strengthens our local workforce and supports economic growth.”
For more information about the program, contact Doug Hunter at d.hunter@dacc.edu or Natasha Pounds at n.merangoli@dacc.edu, or call 217-443-8882.
Danville Area Community College is a comprehensive community college serving Illinois District 507, which consists of Vermilion County and parts of Champaign, Iroquois, Edgar, and Ford counties. DACC’s main campus is located at 2000 East Main Street, Danville. The College has a higher-learning center in Hoopeston at 847 E. Orange. To apply to DACC, call 217-443-3222 or visit the Web site at www.DACC.EDU.
