Local high school students wanting to learn more about careers in a variety of fields can do so for free through Elgin Community College’s Taking Back the Trades program.
“This provides opportunities for students ages 16 to 18 to serve summer internships, serve pre-apprenticeships, take classes and to get industry-recognized credentials as they consider what career paths they might take,” said Gina De rosier-Cook, ECC’s dean of workforce development and continuing education.
In May, ECC received a $228,000 grant from the Illinois Community College Board for the program. Earlier this month, an additional $299,000 was awarded to continue the effort beyond the current school year, officials said.
The initiative’s goal is to expose high school students to careers in health care, manufacturing and other fields so they can determine if they are interested in pursuing them professionally. ECC works in collaboration with the Illinois Education for Employment System, School District U-46’s Alignment Collaborative for Education and nine local companies, De rosier-Cook said.
So far, 110 students have taken part in the program, and they anticipate 200 will have done so by this coming May, she said.
Taking Back the Trades is open to teens who attend high schools located within ECC’s district boundaries, including Elgin’s U-46, Algonquin-based District 300, Burlington-based Central District 301, St. Charles-based District 303, local private schools and those who are homeschooled.
“There’s such a wide array of fields,” De rosier-Cook said. “That’s what’s exciting. The sky’s the limit for what students can take for free.”
By presenting options, students are given practical information on what they need to do in terms of college education or trade classes if they want to pursue a specific job or career, De rosier-Cook said. It also makes them and their parents aware of what ECC has to offer and introduces them to trades that can lead to well-paying jobs.
The program also offers funding to cover things like transportation and clothing, gear and equipment the students might need to participate in a career session, De rosier-Cook said.
Madison McLaughlin, a 16-year-old junior at Bartlett High School, took part in one in August in which she spent five, eight-hour days learning about nursing careers.
“I’ve always been interested in being a nurse,” and what she saw and did piqued that interest even more, McLaughlin said. They gave her a taste of the field by letting her obtain CPR certification and participate in virtual reality presentations on treating patients.
“Depending on what they offer, I would take more,” she said.
More information about the Taking Back the Trades program is available by going to elgin.edu/pay-for-college/grants/taking-back-the-trades-program.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
