PEORIA, Ill. – Illinois Central College celebrated its students who are making a commitment to their future employers.
The college held an “Apprenticeship Signing and Recognition Day” ceremony Tuesday morning at its Peoria campus. 27 students signed contracts with employers such as Caterpillar, Liberty Steel and Wire, and Nestle.
ICC President Dr. Shelia Quirk-Bailey says the college wanted to hold the ceremony because the current culture does not celebrate young students who make apprenticeship commitments, like it does for college athletic scholarship signings.
“Why wouldn’t we honor and hold up individuals who say ‘Yes, I’m going to take a risk, I’m going to work full-time and get an apprenticeship, and I’m going to make it happen for myself and my family.’ That needs to be honored,” Dr. Quirk-Bailey said.
Since the college began the apprenticeship programs in 2018, more than 180 students have enrolled in 11 different apprenticeships. The college is partnering with 35 employers in the program this year.
Quirk-Bailey says the program helps both people looking for work, and employers looking to fill gaps or positions in their company.
“You need a program like this that connects people who are willing to work for it, with companies who are willing to value people who work for it, and just change their lives,” Quirk-Bailey said.
The ceremony on Tuesday also honored 30 who are graduating from the apprenticeship program. Andre Barber, who signed up last year for an electrical apprenticeship at Liberty Steel and Wire, the first on his father’s side of the family to go to and graduate from college.
“First off, it’s important to set an example for my kids. I have a daughter in a nursing program, and I have another one that plays basketball for Kankakee, so setting an example for them is important,” Barber said.
Barber says he’s looking forward to running his own business in the future.
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