LLCC has been awarded $1.2 million by the Illinois Community College Board to continue the college’s Workforce Equity Initiative for a third year.

The Workforce Equity Initiative provides free enrollment for short-term training programs in such high-demand fields as truck driver training, IT support, auto technology, welding, basic nurse assistant, medical assistant, dental assistant, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy technician and others. Under terms of the grant, participants must be low-income, and 75% must be African-American. The goal is employment in a highly skilled, high wage occupation after completion of their training.

The funding allows LLCC to remove barriers to student success by providing a stipend, transportation and childcare assistance, job placement and other support.

Students interested in applying for the free training programs, as well as employers who would like to partner with LLCC in this initiative, can learn more at llcc.edu/open-door-wei or by contacting Candace Silas, director, at candace.silas@llcc.edu or Brandon Lewis, program navigator, at brandon.lewis@llcc.edu.

LLCC is committed to equity and ensuring all individuals have access to opportunities for career success. If you talk to someone interested in applying for the free training programs through the Open Door Workforce Equity Initiative, please direct them to visit www.llcc.edu/open-door-wei or to contact Candace Silas, director, at candace.silas@llcc.edu or Brandon Lewis, program navigator, at brandon.lewis@llcc.edu.

LLCC was recently awarded $1.2 million by the Illinois Community College Board to continue the college’s Open Door Workforce Equity Initiative for another year. It will allow approximately 150 low income students to enroll free of charge in short-term training programs leading to immediate employment, including truck driver training, automotive technology, welding and various health care programs such as basic nurse assistant (CNA), clinical medical assistant, dental assistant, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy technician, emergency medical technician and central sterile service technician. Under terms of the grant, 75% percent of participants must be African-American.

The program also provides participants with a stipend, transportation and childcare assistance along with other supports to ensure they can be successful in completing their training program and securing gainful employment.

LLCC has been awarded $1.2 million by the Illinois Community College Board to continue the college’s Open Door Workforce Equity Initiative for another year.

The Open Door Workforce Equity Initiative will allow approximately 150 low income students to enroll free of charge in short-term training programs leading to immediate employment, including truck driver training, automotive technology, welding and various health care programs such as basic nurse assistant (CNA), clinical medical assistant, dental assistant, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy technician, emergency medical technician and central sterile service technician. Under terms of the grant, 75% percent of participants must be African-American.

The program also provides participants with a stipend, transportation and childcare assistance along with other supports to ensure they can be successful in completing their training program and securing gainful employment.

“LLCC is committed to equity and ensuring all individuals have access to opportunities for career success,” said Dr. Lesley Frederick, vice president of student services. “This grant will allow us to expand this life-changing program aimed at improving equity in the workforce and addressing identified workforce gaps in our community.”

Students interested in applying for the free training programs should visit www.llcc.edu/open-door-wei or contact Candace Silas, director, at candace.silas@llcc.edu or Brandon Lewis, program navigator, at brandon.lewis@llcc.edu.

LLCC announced yesterday that it has been awarded a $1 million grant to establish the Open Door – Workforce Equity Initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to provide minority and low income individuals with career training that will lead to employment ocally in less than a year. Eligible students can begin these programs at LLCC in January 2020.

“Fifty-two years ago, our college was founded to address our community’s needs around education, employment and economic development. LLCC’s mission, values and goals are inclusive and reflect our desire to provide all of our constituency with opportunities and supports for success,” said LLCC President Charlotte Warren, Ph.D. “The Open Door – Equity Workforce Initiative is an exciting opportunity to continue our mission.”

The initiative is designed to improve workforce equity and provide short-term training opportunities to address identified workforce gaps. LLCC will provide training opportunities in central sterile service technician, certified medical assistant, CNA to certified medical assistant, dental assistant, electrocardiogram (ECG) technician, emergency medical technician (EMT) basic, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy technician, truck driver training, auto technology and welding.

“Program participants will receive free tuition, a stipend, transportation assistance, child care assistance, and other supports to accelerate the time for the participants to enter and succeed in postsecondary education/training programs that lead to employment in high skilled, high wage and in-demand occupations,” explained Michael Phelon, director, Open Door program.

Information sessions for individuals interested in participating will be scheduled in the near future. For more information on the Open Door – Workforce Equity Initiative, visit www.llcc.edu/open-door-wei.

Michael Phelon, coordinator, Open Door Mentorship Program, was among the honorees at the Illinois State Capitol Feb. 8 during a  special Black History Month Celebration. Michael was honored for “Outstanding Commitment to Community Service.” The award was presented by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs. Members of the Open Door program also attended. Special guest at the celebration was celebrated athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

LLCC’s Open Door program is collaborating with the state’s historic sites in Springfield and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site to present a writing workshop for student artists and a special community concert at the Springfield campus Dec. 15.

The “I Am America” Writers Workshop will take place in the R. H. Stephens Room from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.  The workshop is designed for poets, singer-songwriters spoken word artists and authors. Participants will discuss topics such as songwriting, writer’s block, starting your book, and creating a song demo.  Registration is required to participate in the workshop by contacting Michael Phelon in the Open Door Mentorship Program at Michael.phelon@llc.edu or 217-786-3689.

Music and Conversation will kickoff with an artist reception at 5:30 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons.  The main event, a concert and thoughtful conversation inspired by some of Antonio Neal’s latest songs, starts at 6 p.m. Read more…