Glasford, IL (02/15/2024) – Illini Bluffs District #327 Joins the Employ Central Illinois Initiative comprised of six other partners to align career exploration, education, and employers. The initiative received a $3 million grant through the U.S. Department of Education’s Perkins Innovation and Modernization (PIM) Career Connected High Schools Grant Program. Out of 161 PIM grant applications, only sixteen proposals were funded. ICC is one of only two community colleges nationwide to receive a PIM grant. The other partners include Pekin High School, Peoria Public Schools, the Peoria Regional Office of Education, SkillsUSA Illinois, the West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Unions, and Illinois Central College.
These partners will form a consortium to align work-based learning experiences and dual credit with 3 post-secondary options for paid apprenticeships. The consortium will develop a regional ecosystem to provide high school students in urban, suburban, and rural settings equal, centralized access to high-quality dual credit courses and work-based experiences along career pathways in health care, construction, manufacturing and information technology professions and connect them post-graduation to paid apprenticeships. The three apprenticeship options include regional Labor Unions Apprenticeships through the West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Unions, Direct to Employer Apprenticeships through SkillsUSA Illinois and ICC Apprenticeships providing both a post-secondary credential and employment during and after college. This game-changing project will integrate earn-and-learn opportunities through a Regional Work-Based Learning HUB providing employers a one-stop shop to engage students in internships, pre-apprenticeships and job shadowing while in high school and apprenticeships post-high school graduation.
“We believe that the Employ Central Illinois initiative is a transformative opportunity for our students, preparing them not only academically but also equipping them with practical skills and industry-certified credentials that will empower their future success,” said Dimitri Almasi, Principal of Illini Bluffs High School. “As we embark on this exciting journey, we extend our gratitude to the U.S. Department of Education for their support and look forward to witnessing the positive impact this initiative will have on the lives of our students.”
At Illini Bluffs, the core objectives of our involvement in the Employ Central Illinois initiative are threefold.
We aim to increase dual-credit opportunities for our students, allowing them to earn college credits while still in high school and providing a head start on their academic and professional journeys. This enriches their education and helps ease the financial burden of higher education.
We are committed to expanding the number of students entering work-based learning pathways, focusing on key industries such as health care, construction, manufacturing, and information technology. By forging partnerships with local businesses and organizations, we aim to provide our students with hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between classroom education and real-world application.
Finally, we will connect our graduates to paid apprenticeships through strategic collaborations with the West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades unions, Direct to Employer Apprenticeships via Skills USA, and ICC. This ensures a seamless transition from academic studies to professional endeavors, providing them with a competitive edge in the job market.
