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.

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.

The new diesel technologies program at LLCC, which will welcome its first group of students in fall 2023, has earned accreditation through the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) Foundation. AED is the international trade association for equipment distributors, manufacturers and service providers.

“We are pleased that LLCC has chosen to demonstrate its commitment to academic excellence and continuous improvement through the process of accreditation,” said Sean Fitzgerrel, AED Foundation senior director of workforce and industry initiatives. “Accreditation signifies to equipment industry stakeholders that LLCC has met rigorous industry-specific national equipment technical standards. It further signifies to current and prospective students that the program provides the best in diesel equipment technical education as defined by the industry it serves.”

The two-year, associate degree diesel technologies program is the newest offering in LLCC’s Workforce Institute and provides training to those interested in high-tech careers working on heavy duty trucks, agricultural and construction equipment. Program Director Jeff Gardner says that demand is strong for qualified diesel technicians both locally and nationally, with many companies offering students tuition reimbursement and other incentives to enter this high-paying career field.

More information is available at www.llcc.edu/diesel or by contacting Gardner at jeffrey.gardner@llcc.edu or 217-786-2239.