College of Lake County Apprenticeship Program

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This spring break, students get the chance to earn money while learning about many great programs they could join in the future. CLC is offering $250 to attend their Apprenticeship Awareness Program. This awareness program talks about the many benefits of applying and possibly joining one of their many apprenticeship programs. The awareness program allows students to learn about different education options after high school. It provides the opportunity for students to recognize that these programs exist as well as college.

“So the awareness program makes students aware that there’s more than one choice of education after high school,” said CTE department chair Gina Schuyler.

Many students feel that it is a great opportunity to learn about different programs and think it’s a great idea to apply.

“So I feel like it’s an opportunity to kind of learn about, you know, new opportunities,” said senior Chirag Singh. Students who make it into one of their apprenticeship programs get to work while also taking classes to get their degree. All of the classes and work are scheduled so students wouldn’t have to cancel work for a school or vice versa.

“You will actually get paid for working and then the employer will also pay for your school. That’s when you end up making money as an apprentice and then you get your certifications and or your associate’s degree,” said career exploration and internship coordinator Dana Oddo.

This program is excellent for students who strive to do well and work hard. It would be a lot of hard work, but students would end the apprenticeship with an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree.

“It’s kind of aggressive, so like this would definitely be a student that is okay with doing a lot of hard work and going, probably finishing, eventually, to get a bachelor’s degree,” Oddo said.

While the apprenticeship is competitive, the application process is very simple.

“It’s pretty easy. So firstly, just fill out like a regular form. And then there’s a smaller form that has all the same stuff on it. And then once you do that, somebody reaches out to you to interview you soon. And it’s just a 15 minute interview,” Singh said.

The opportunity to work while going to school is an excellent opportunity to give students experience while having no scheduling conflicts. Students gain a lot of experience without having to go into debt after college.

“So this way, you’d be able to work in a field that you actually go into school to at the same time. So kind of like putting an education and then an actual job experience together at the same time,” said CLC presenter Angela Johnson.

With companies battling a rapidly aging population, some companies struggle to replace the workforce with young candidates. Many companies have been partnering with CLC in hopes that they will receive new, young candidates.

“So, unfortunately, the current employers are fighting what they call the aging population. So CLC has been working with companies that are getting close to retirement age. And so now they need young talent to come in and grow,” said CLC presenter Chris Luster.

The apprenticeship programs that CLC has to offer should be made aware of as these programs offer a way for students to pursue college education without having to go into debt. Students are able to make money while gaining their degree and the employer will pay for schooling, so students will make money, as opposed to going into debt.

“So often we hear that college is not affordable, or students, you know, incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and their entry level jobs may be only making $40,000 to $50,000, and all of a sudden, they have loans they need to pay off that are twice that. So, yes, I would want more students and parents to know about this, too, that this is an excellent opportunity to kind of combine a work experience and get your education paid for, but it’s not being paid for by you,” Schuyler said.