The ICATT Apprenticeship Program recently expanded its community college base to nine community colleges and welcomed Elgin Community College to their network.

Elgin Community College fills a geographical gap between Chicago-area Harper, Triton, and Oakton colleges, and Kishwaukee College in the Rockford region. The Elgin community has a robust manufacturing sector, and local companies are facing the same shortage of a workforce as companies in other regions. By joining the ICATT Apprenticeship Program, Elgin high-tech manufacturing companies will be able to develop a workforce development strategy that provides a pipeline of skilled talent over time.

“We are excited to partner with the ICATT Apprenticeship Program Network, and to be able to offer a time-tested apprenticeship program to our local employers,” says Kathy Meisinger, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Experiential Learning from Elgin Community College.  “The support that the ICATT team gives to the participating companies helps companies optimize the on-the-job training and sets the ICATT Apprenticeship Program apart from other apprenticeship programs. Additionally, the fact that the program is already registered with DOL saves a lot of resources. We look forward to a successful partnership and are elated to be part of the program.”

Local companies in Elgin will now be able to train apprentices in the fields of CNC Machining and Advanced Manufacturing Technician starting this fall.

“We are happy to expand our network of community colleges to Elgin Community College,” says Mario Kratsch, Head of the ICATT Apprenticeship Program. “The expansion of the program now provides participating companies and apprentices a closer alternative for the classroom portion of the apprenticeship. Apprentices and companies will both benefit from their strong manufacturing program. We’re excited to have them part of the ICATT Apprenticeship Program.”

To learn more about Elgin Community College, click here.

To learn more about the ICATT Apprenticeship Program helps close the skills gap, click here.