ECC Student Apprentice Gets Hands-On with Manufacturing & Technology

Divonte Grant knew one thing: he wanted a job where he could work with his hands and solve problems. He came to Elgin Community College (ECC) initially for its affordability and soon joined ECC’s Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship Program in June 2024.  

The program’s “Seven Days to Career Success” model provides free training to individuals interested in an apprenticeship; in just one week, he started turning opportunity into reality.  

During the program, Grant earned industry-recognized credentials, including OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) 10 Safety Training and Forklift Certification, which gave him immediate employability skills. He also participated in a resume and interview workshop, where he updated his resume with new credentials and gained skills to feel confident and prepared for interviews. 

On his interview day on June 18, 2024, Grant met with several employers, including voestalpine, a high-performance metal company in Elgin. Days later, his hard work paid off, and he was offered an apprenticeship with voestalpine. 

At the time, Grant was looking for a new job and took advantage of the opportunity when it presented itself, he said.

“I’m a very curious person,” he said. “I want to know how things work.” 

Now, two years into his role at voestalpine, Grant works with machine metals, cutting and shipping them, while focusing on preventative maintenance. He keeps the machines running efficiently. He also said he’s enjoying the new experience his job has given him, and he's learning more about electrical, hydraulic, programming, and machine systems.  

After he graduates from ECC in December 2027 with an associate degree in Automation, Robotics, and Maintenance Technology (ARM), Grant is thinking about transferring to an engineering program at a four-year university. He is leaning toward attending Northern Illinois University.  

“We’re proud of Divonte’s enthusiasm for building skills for his future, and we’re excited that he’ll have the opportunity to complete his training in the new Manufacturing Technology Center as one of its first graduates,” said Cathy Taylor, dean of sustainability, business, and career technologies at Elgin Community College. The MTC will open in August 2026. 

“If you’re a curious person or want to know how things work, this would be a path for a problem solver,” he said about the apprenticeship program. Grant also said he is grateful for the coordinators who’ve helped him register for classes, purchase books, and equipment.                                                  

Grant’s journey is a great example of how quickly things can change when preparation meets opportunity. From training to employment within weeks, he turned his commitment into a career path. 

For more information about ECC’s student internships and apprenticeships program, go to Student Internships and Apprenticeships | Elgin Community College (ECC).