2024 - ECC Hosts Apprenticeship Expo on November 21 during National Apprenticeship Week

Elgin Community College (ECC) will host its second annual Apprenticeship Expo on Thursday, November 21, during National Apprenticeship Week (November 17 through 23), to connect attendees with representatives from traditional and non-traditional apprenticeship programs, as well as pre-apprenticeships. There will also be opportunities to engage with union trades and employers. 

The event will take place from 9 am to 12 pm in ECC’s University and Business Center, located in Building E of ECC’s 1700 Spartan Drive campus. The expo is free and open to the public. Individuals seeking apprenticeships or employers interested in starting an apprenticeship program at their company are encouraged to attend. Expo attendees do not need to register, however, businesses interested in attending the business information session or hosting a table must register using the Vendor Intake Form.

"National Apprenticeship Week is a significant event for ECC as it highlights the vital role apprenticeship programs play in strengthening our region's workforce,” said Gina De rosier-Cook, EdD, dean of workforce development & continuing education. “Apprenticeships have helped us begin to close the talent gaps in local manufacturing, offering students and community members an alternative path to career success. By raising awareness, we aim to inspire more individuals to explore this impactful approach to achieving their professional goals."

The 2024 Expo will focus on the growing presence of apprenticeships in the region. Over the past year, the number of apprenticeship employers and individuals seeking apprenticeships has increased significantly. This fall, ECC reached a record high of more than 100 individuals participating in apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs. The college also welcomed its first apprentices in firefighting, EMT paramedics, and accounting this fall.

A special information session for businesses will be held from 7:30 am to 8:30 am on November 21. This session will feature testimonials from current apprentices and employers, as well as a panel of experts from the Department of Labor, Illinois Department of Employment Security, the Northern Kane County Education for Employment Office, and ECC’s Apprenticeship Program. Topics covered will include an overview of ECC’s apprenticeship programs, how K-12 partners prepare youth for these opportunities, and information on support available to businesses interested in starting an apprenticeship program.

National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from November 17-23, 2024, was established by the U.S. Department of Labor to showcase and promote high-quality, inclusive, in-demand career pathway opportunities through Registered Apprenticeships. 

For more information about ECC’s Apprenticeship program or Apprenticeship Expo, visit elgin.edu/apprenticeship or contact ECC’s Strategic Partnerships and Experiential Learning department at SPEL@elgin.edu. 

All media-related questions or interview requests can be directed to the Communications department at news@elgin.edu.