LLCC student Dawson Bakunas of Divernon earned seventh place in the culinary arts competition at the national SkillsUSA Championships June 21-22 in Atlanta, Ga. Culinary arts was among 110 hands-on skill and leadership competitions held at the event.

In the culinary category, competitors were provided the same ingredients and supplies, and had to write and prepare menus in five hours. Judges looked for such factors as creativity, taste, plating, sanitation and fundamental skills.

Bakunas also earned an American Culinary Federation certification at the event.

“Being a part of this competition really brought my skills to another level,” he said. “It was a chance to show off what I have been learning and test skills against others in the country.”

Bakunas advanced to nationals after being named a first-place gold winner at the state competition April 25-27 in Peoria. He was one of three LLCC workforce students to qualify for the national competition. He is pursuing an associate in arts degree in culinary arts at LLCC’s Workforce Institute.

The SkillsUSA Championships were part of the 59^th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference, the nation’s largest showcase of skilled trades with approximately 15,000 students, teachers, education leaders and business representatives in attendance.

LLCC will hold an informational open house July 19 for its industrial maintenance training program. The event will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Workforce Careers Center on the LLCC campus, 5250 Shepherd Rd. Registration and more information are available at www.llcc.edu/industrial.

Attendees will learn about in-demand careers in industrial maintenance and how to enroll in the program, which begins Aug. 21. They will also tour LLCC’s industrial maintenance lab and hear about local job opportunities.

“Machinery maintenance and repair remains an important manufacturing component due to the increased use of automated processes,” said Doug Hoy, program director. “The need for skilled technicians in manufacturing and industry-related technology is great.”

Classes will meet in the evening and focus on maintenance and repair of commercial and industrial machinery in buildings, plants and factories. The program also incorporates electrical and mechanical systems, process controls, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), pneumatics and hydraulic systems.

Graduates of the two-year certificate program will be equipped with professional and technical skills to be successful in the industry.

LLCC has been awarded a $200,000 Trade Schools Grant to encourage young adults to enter a construction career.

LLCC will partner with Sangamon Menard Regional Office of Education 51 to expand the current Multi-craft Core Curriculum (MC3) high school program.

Under the expanded program this fall, high school students will attend LLCC for two hours each weekday to explore construction apprenticeships and network with commercial contractors, trade unions and industry leaders. The program includes hands-on labs and field trips to work sites. Students will work on a construction project throughout the school year and during the last quarter of the program, spend three days a week in a paid internship at a job site.

Participating students will receive free tools, work boots and personal protective equipment. They will earn college credit from LLCC as well as certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research and be trained in OSHA 10 construction safety, CPR, forklift and aerial lift.

“We’re excited to partner with LLCC and the construction trades unions in central Illinois to expand the MC3 program,” said Shannon Fehrholz, regional superintendent, Sangamon Menard Regional Office of Education 51. “This program offers a unique blend of academic rigor and practical training, enabling students to gain a competitive edge while still in high school. By partnering with local businesses and industry experts, the program provides our students with unparalleled opportunities to engage in meaningful internships, apprenticeships and hands-on projects that align with their career aspirations.”

Currently 11 high schools are participating: Auburn, New Berlin, Pleasant Plains, Williamsville, Riverton, Pawnee, Chatham, Sangamon County Learning Academy (SCLA), Tri-City, Rochester and North Mac.

“I believe this expansion will greatly contribute to attracting much-needed new talent to our industry and equip them for real-work construction experiences,” said Mike O’Shea, president of O’Shea Builders. “Additionally, the inclusion of a full-year curriculum on trade apprenticeships and construction management, followed by an eight-week paid internship, showcase the program’s comprehensive approach to preparing students for successful careers in the field.”

The following businesses and organizations are participating: Pipefitters Local 137, Brick Layers Local 8 of Illinois, Carpenters Local 270, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (I.B.E.W.) Local 193, I.B.E.W. 51 (outdoor wiremen, linemen), Iron Workers Local 46, Operating Engineers Local 965, Sheet Metal Workers Local 218, Roofers Local 112, Painters District Council 58 Local 90, Laborers’ Local 477, Teamsters Local 916, Glaziers Local 1168, OPCMIA Local 18, O’Shea Builders, Mid-Illinois Companies, E.L. Pruitt Co., Henson Robinson Company, Selvaggio Steel, Otto Baum Company, B&B Electric, Senergy Electric and United Contractors Midwest (UCM).

LLCC was awarded the Trades Schools Grant by the Illinois Community College Board.

More information is available by contacting Chris Edmonds, director of the LLCC construction trades program, at christopher.edmonds@llcc.edu or 217-786-4921.

On Friday June 2, LLCC’s Workforce Institute staff hosted 15 area high school counselors and administrators from the Regional Office of Career and Technical Education.

Jeff Martin, workforce recruitment coordinator, and Chris Edmonds, program director, construction trades, picked up the group at Capital Area Career Center for a full day of tours. Their first stop was a facility tour at Ace Sign Company followed by a tour at LLCC’s LRS Aviation Center led by Dave Pietrzak, program director, aviation, and Duane Boyette, aviation maintenance specialist, which also included lunch and an overview of the FAA Aviation Maintenance Grant currently available. Aviation program student and CACC graduate Ayden Miller was there to share his experience in the program and his planned career path. After visiting the hanger, the ROCTE group toured two more employers, StandardAero and the 183^rd Wing of the Illinois National Guard, who also hire LLCC students.