Heartland celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

Heartland Community College celebrated the growing number of community partners and students involved in apprenticeship programs with the state kick-off of National Apprenticeship Week. 

Heartland held an Apprentice Signing Ceremony on Monday, November 13 in the Workforce Development Center on the Main Campus of the college in Normal. 

Joining Heartland President Keith Cornille were Daniel Serota (Chair of the Apprenticeship Committee of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board), Debra Cremeens-Risinger (Illinois State Director of U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship), Cameron Joost (Assistant Director of IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Lavon Nelson (Director of Workforce Development, Illinois Community College Board). 

During the signing ceremony, Serota and Joost presented President Cornille with a proclamation from Governor J.B. Pritzker commending the work the Heartland Community College has done in establishing apprenticeship programs. 

Cremens-Risinger presented the College with a revision of the College’s U.S. Department of Labor Certificate of Registration, to add in a new Apprenticeship for Registered Nurse. 

Student apprentices were recognized along with businesses who are sponsoring their employees in the apprenticeship programs. 

“Apprenticeships offer a direct pipeline for employers to strengthen their workforce with tailored, high-quality talent,” said Cornille. “It is wonderful to see our industry partners support these students who are seizing the opportunity to develop new training and skills.” 

An apprenticeship is a job that comes with substantial training and the development of transferable skills. Heartland’s registered apprenticeship programs are unique, flexible instruction programs combining job related courses with structured on-the-job learning experiences. The goal for the apprenticeship programs is to provide workers with advanced skill sets that meet the specific needs of employers. 

The College currently has five U.S. Department of Labor Certified Apprenticeship programs, working with local employers Bridgestone, Carle Health, Ferrero, Rivian, and OSF Healthcare. Apprentices in these programs complete an Associate of Applied Science Degree in an applied field of study. 

National Apprenticeship Week is November 13-19, 2023.