LLCC’s Workforce Institute has partnered with Green Family Stores and Landmark Ford for the Ford Automotive Career Exploration (ACE) program. ACE aims to raise awareness and increase interest in career opportunities within the automotive industry, particularly as a service technician.

“This partnership is a great step forward in providing the best education and a career pathway for our automotive technology students,” said Nancy Sweet, dean of the LLCC Workforce Institute.

Under the agreement, both Ford dealerships will be active members on the advisory committee for LLCC’s auto tech program, provide class presentations twice a year, participate in annual career events as well as job shadowing, and offer paid internships and part-time jobs for students, leading to full-time careers.

“We see this as a win-win where we are involved in the students’ education as they learn from the experts to provide a clear path to a lucrative career at our dealership,” said Kevin Epley, human resources director at Landmark Autogroup.

Josh Laurent, corporate director of fixed operations, Green Family Stores, said, “We want to encourage more students to enter the field of automotive technology and mentor them along the way so they stay local and fill our available jobs. We know the quality of LLCC auto tech grads and have great careers waiting for them.”

In addition, LLCC auto tech students will have access to valuable knowledge of Ford/Lincoln vehicle systems by completing web-based training with a subset of the same courses taken by Ford dealership technicians. By completing these courses, students are one step closer toward a career in the automotive industry, beginning as an entry-level automotive service technician at a Ford/Lincoln dealership.

New nine-month daytime and 11-month evening certificate programs begin Aug. 23. Interested students can visit www.llcc.edu/automotive-technology, email darla.cochran@llcc.edu or call 217-786-2407.

For those interested in a hands-on career, a Workforce 101 event will be held Wednesday, July 28 from 5-8 p.m. Attendees can try their hands at construction, automotive technology, welding, culinary arts and hospitality, or aviation mechanics. Participants can roll up their sleeves to experience the kinds of work they would do on the job, and employers will be on hand to discuss careers in their industries. More information and registration are available at www.llcc.edu/workforce.

Below are two new graphics you can use in your email signature.

The first one promotes Rapid Enrollment Days being held on July 27, 28 and 29, plus additional days at LLCC-Litchfield, LLCC-Taylorville and LLCC-Medical District. Students can get personalized assistance with enrollment no matter where they are in the process. When inserting the graphic into your signature, be sure to hyperlink it to https://www.llcc.edu/rapid.

The second one promotes the Workforce 101 event on July 28. Those looking to start or change careers can try their hands at a trade and meet employers. Hyperlink it to https://www.llcc.edu/workforce. Thank you!

With the success of the first Workforce 101 event on June 26, LLCC is inviting those interested in starting or changing careers to another Workforce 101 session on Wednesday, July 28.

Prospective students can try their hands at a trade and meet employers. Representatives will be on hand to assist students with and answer their questions about enrollment from 5-5:30 p.m. Sessions (5:30-8 p.m.) include construction, automotive technology, welding, culinary arts and hospitality management, and aviation mechanics.

At Workforce 101 sessions, prospective students will roll up their sleeves and get hands-on with the kinds of work they’d be doing on the job. They’ll learn about the program, what it’s like to learn in LLCC training labs, and employers will talk about careers in their industries, demand and wages.

Workforce 101 participants will receive fun Workforce Institute swag, and light refreshments will be available. All 101 sessions will be held at the Workforce Center except aviation mechanics, which is located at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. Registration for the event is available at www.llcc.edu/workforce.