INA, Ill. (Feb. 26, 2020) — Students and businesses from around the region got a firsthand look at how apprenticeships benefit the local workforce Wednesday at Rend Lake College.

RLC hosted Apprenticeship Works! — a program that showcased how local businesses have worked with the college to give students on-the-job training that will benefit them during their future careers.

Current students Ashley Chambliss and Chad Morris answered questions about the benefits of on-the-job training and the apprenticeship program. Chambliss is currently serving an apprenticeship role with Continental Tire while Morris is working with North American Lighting.

Representatives from Northern American Lighting, Continental Tire and Phoenix Modular Elevator all spoke during a panel session where they answered questions about how the program has benefited their businesses and employees. Current students working as apprentices also discussed their experience utilizing Apprenticeship Works! The apprenticeships allow students to attend school and earn a degree or certificate while also working a paid job. Most businesses also pay tuition for the students in their apprenticeship programs.

Interested in getting involved in your own apprenticeship? Rend Lake College has a variety of partners across a multitude of different industries. To learn more about these apprenticeship programs, contact RLC Career Technical Education Support Specialist Joy Fitts at [email protected] or 618-437-5321 Ext. 1280. 

Panelists Tanja Trenk, Bob Shirley and Allison Allgaier share with spectators how their businesses have collaborated with Rend Lake College to establish apprenticeship programs. Trenk and Shirley represented Continental Tire and Allgaier represented Phoenix Modular Elevator at the Apprenticeship Works! event Wednesday morning at RLC. (Not pictured: Panelist Robert Woolum of North American Lighting) 

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