Lincoln Land Community College announced today that it has been awarded a $1 million grant to establish the Open Door – Workforce Equity Initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to provide minority and low income individuals with career training that will lead to employment locally in less than a year. Eligible students can begin these programs at LLCC in January 2020.
“Fifty-two years ago, our college was founded to address our community’s needs around education, employment and economic development. LLCC’s mission, values and goals are inclusive and reflect our desire to provide all of our constituency with opportunities and supports for success,” said LLCC President Charlotte Warren, Ph.D. “The Open Door – Equity Workforce Initiative is an exciting opportunity to continue our mission.”
“In 2016, Open Door, a program designed to assist men of color, was established at LLCC. Through support of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the business leaders in our community, Open Door participants have had opportunities for internships with a combination of academics and mentoring,” said Michael Phelon, director, Open Door program. “We now plan to expand our successful Open Door program to encompass the Workforce Equity Initiative. We have a goal of 75% of participants coming from the African-American community.”
The initiative is designed to improve workforce equity and provide short-term training opportunities to address identified workforce gaps. LLCC will provide training opportunities in central sterile service technician, certified medical assistant, CNA to certified medical assistant, dental assistant, electrocardiogram (ECG) technician, emergency medical technician (EMT) basic, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy technician, truck driver training, auto technology and welding.
“Program participants will receive free tuition, a stipend, transportation assistance, child care assistance, and other supports to accelerate the time for the participants to enter and succeed in postsecondary education/training programs that lead to employment in high skilled, high wage and in-demand occupations,” explained Phelon.
Information sessions for individuals interested in participating will be scheduled in the near future. For more information on the Open Door – Workforce Equity Initiative, visit www.llcc.edu/open-door-wei.
LLCC is one of 15 community colleges part of an $18.7 million Workforce Equity Initiative through the Illinois Community College Board.
