Tours of the Workforce Careers Center were provided to 91 individuals from Jacksonville, Griggsville and Winchester yesterday. Providing presentations for the tours were Terri Hinrichs, recruitment coordinator; Nancy Sweet, director, culinary program and operations; Julie Rourke, director, workforce development; and two PRM student workers.

The LLCC Highway Construction Careers program visited the Building Trades Career Day held at the BOS Center in downtown Springfield Tuesday. Three LLCC alumni, who are currently apprentices, were teaching about their trades — doing presentations for all who were attending. The students were Jennifer Nelson, Carpenters Local #270; Danielle Sunley, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local #137; and Matthew Kincaid, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local #137.

Bistro Verde, LLCC’s student run café, is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday as Bistro To Go and on Wednesday and Friday as Bistro Grab & Go.

View the new fall Bistro To Go menu. Bistro To Go has soups, salads, sandwiches, baked goods, coffee drinks and smoothies available for takeout. Orders can be placed in person, at 786-2821 or at bistroverde@llcc.edu (instructions on the Bistro Verde website). View the fall Bistro To Go PDF menu.

Bistro Grab & Go offers premade soups, salads, sandwiches, snacks, baked goods and other quick items. Beverages such as tea, sodas, coffee and specialty coffees will be available too! Sorry, no call ahead orders for Bistro Grab & Go. View the fall 2018 Bistro Grab & Go menu.

LLCC hosted a National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) apprenticeship accelerator meeting yesterday, Sept. 24, in Bistro Verde to introduce the nation’s first restaurant management apprenticeship program to interested restaurant employers in the Springfield area. Caroline Eckert, manager of program development, NRAEF, spoke to 24 individuals in attendance who learned about the employer-driven training program.

The NRAEF conducts apprenticeship accelerator meetings across the country to explain how the program works and demonstrate how it can address restaurant industry challenges to find and retain top talent.

In 2016, the NRAEF and the American Hotel & Lodging Association received a $1.8 million contract from the U.S. Department of Labor to develop the first-ever federally registered hospitality sector apprenticeship program. The program places individuals in paid apprenticeships focused on management-level positions across the hospitality and food service industries, translating into increased skills, higher wages, recognized credentials and a career advancement plan.

LLCC will host a National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) apprenticeship accelerator meeting Monday, Sept. 24 to introduce the nation’s first restaurant management apprenticeship program to interested restaurant employers in the Springfield area.

The NRAEF conducts apprenticeship accelerator meetings across the country to explain how the program works and demonstrate how it can address restaurant industry challenges to find and retain top talent. The meeting will be held at 2 p.m. in Bistro Verde.

In 2016, the NRAEF and the American Hotel & Lodging Association received a $1.8 million contract from the U.S. Department of Labor to develop the first-ever federally registered hospitality sector apprenticeship program. The program places individuals in paid apprenticeships focused on management-level positions across the hospitality and foodservice industries, translating into increased skills, higher wages, recognized credentials and a career advancement plan. Read more.

The teens in the Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois’ Career Launch spent yesterday afternoon on campus learning about a variety of applied technology and workforce programs and careers. The teens then had the opportunity to learn about small business ownership, automotive technology, truck driver training, construction and electrical maintenance. They even had the opportunity to work on a single-switch wiring project and to build their very own washer toss games!

Those assisting with the afternoon program included: Jolene Adams, Jim Betts, Brian Earley, Jim Gain, Bob Howard, Kevin Lust, Julie Rourke and Tom Spears. Career Launch will continue on Monday afternoons at LLCC through July 30.