Kyla Kruse, director, communications, was interviewed by WICS about yesterday’s LLCC Open House, which provided fun and engaging activities and opportunities for prospective students to find their path by learning about programs and services, talking with faculty and staff, and taking tours.
Sheridan Lane, director, culinary program and operations, wrote “Let there be cake” published in this week’s Epicuriosity 101 column in the State Journal-Register.
Chris Edmonds, program director, construction trades, was interviewed on WTAX June 16 about the $200,000 Trade Schools Grant awarded to LLCC. The college will partner with Sangamon Menard Regional Office of Education 51 to expand the current Multi-craft Core Curriculum (MC3) high school program. High school students will explore construction apprenticeships, while learning through hands-on labs and field trips to work sites. Read more: llcc.edu/news/construction-grant.
Kim Wilson, recruitment specialist and co-chair of the Juneteenth Committee, was interviewed yesterday by WICS about LLCC’s Juneteenth activities, including the Freedom Walk and documentary showings of Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom.
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 183rd Wing of the Illinois National Guard, who also hire LLCC students.
Kyla Kruse, director of communications, is published in the current Community College Daily with her article, “Beyond a crisis plan: preparing through tabletop exercises.”
Dave Pietrzak, program director, aviation, wrote the May 21 LLCC essay in the State Journal-Register, “FAA grant helps LLCC address nationwide shortage of aviation mechanics.”
Shanda Byer, interim vice president of student services, was interviewed May 25 by WCIA TV on the proposed increase in MAP grant funding.
Dee Krueger, director, LLCC-Taylorville, was interviewed May 25 on the WTIM Morning Show. She discussed summer and fall classes, Open House June 20 and 3 for Free.
Jay Kitterman, culinary and special events consultant, was interviewed by WTAX radio on the History Cooks program.
Sheridan Lane, director, culinary program and operations, wrote “Updating a classic ’80s dip” published in this week’s Epicuriosity 101 column in the State Journal-Register.
Another great Decision Day was held at Southeast High School on Friday, May 12. Our staff were there to cheer on seniors who have decided to attend LLCC and present scholarship certificates. We look forward to all of them achieving college success with us!
Doug Hoy joined LLCC May 1 as director, industrial and electrical maintenance. He’s worked in manufacturing for more than 30 years. Most recently he served as the maintenance manager at GSI AGCO in Taylorville. He can be reached at 217-786-3447 or doug.hoy@llcc.edu.
Welcome Doug!
Six LLCC Workforce Institute students competed in the SkillsUSA Illinois Championships in Peoria April 25-27. The event recognizes career and technical education students who excel in their occupational areas.
First-place gold winners were Dawson Bakunas of Divernon – culinary arts, Brayden Booth of Beardstown – electrical construction wiring and Michael Kindel of Dawson – carpentry. Malakai Vaughn of Waverly was a second-place silver winner in electrical construction wiring. Other LLCC participants were Connor Becker of Springfield – automotive, Jace Pierceall of Chatham – welding.
LLCC team advisors are Chris Edmonds, Derrick Matlock, Damon Tanke, Jeff Gardner, Ty Bergman and Sheridan Lane.
Students in the SkillsUSA Illinois State Championships compete across more than 100 career competitions designed to test their skills. Each competition is designed and run by representatives of respective industries.
LLCC has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support the training of future aviation mechanics.
The grant aims to increase the number of individuals with airframe and powerplant (A&P) FAA credentials to address the national shortage in this workforce. Other goals are to diversify student enrollments and upgrade program equipment and technology.
Students entering the program this fall are eligible for free tools and books ($4,800 value) and up to 75% of tuition paid for the first two terms of the five-term program, with an emphasis on recruiting women and students of color. Additional financial aid assistance is available for those who qualify.
Open houses for students interested in this in-demand, high paying career will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays, June 27 and July 11, at LLCC’s Levi, Ray and Shoup Aviation Center at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. Attendees will learn about careers in the field and experience the daily work of aircraft mechanics including completing a sheet metal project, building a wiring harness, removing and replacing a piston engine cylinder and starting a jet engine.
More information is available at www.llcc.edu/aviation, by calling 217-544-4965 or emailing Dave Pietrzak.