The Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP) at South Suburban College (SSC) is preparing for its upcoming free, short-term program. Students Emanuel Medina and Donald Elmore III, showcased here during concrete pouring activities, are progressing towards journeyman status. Both students successfully completed the program in October and are slated to commence their apprenticeships in the spring. Medina has secured acceptance into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 134 Communications Apprenticeship and is set to commence coursework this month.
Since 2014, SSC has offered the Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP), a pre-apprenticeship initiative. The program entails a rigorous 450-hour curriculum aimed at equipping participants with the requisite skills for entry into the highway construction trades, fostering potential careers with lucrative wage prospects. Classes are held Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Prospective applicants must be at least 18 years of age, possess a high school diploma or GED, demonstrate an interest in trade work, and successfully clear both a drug screening and a Physical Agility test. Additionally, applicants are required to hold a valid driver’s license.
The objective of HCCTP is to enhance representation of minorities, women, and disadvantaged individuals in Illinois highway construction. The program is supported through a collaboration with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), enabling it to be offered at no cost to participants. During their enrollment, students receive a stipend for each full hour of training completed.
Since its inception, HCCTP at SSC has graduated almost 400 students. Among the last six classes, three have achieved 100% placement into union apprenticeship programs with various trades including IBEW Local 134, Pipefitters Local 597, Laborers (LiUNA), and Carpenters.
Registration for this training opportunity is currently open. Orientation & Testing for the next class is February 27-29th, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. and classes are scheduled to begin March 25th, 2024. For more information contact Rebecca Garcia at (708) 225-6004 or email hcctp@ssc.edu. To register, first, please visit our website www.ssc.edu/hcctp, or visit our office located at the Oak Forest Center of South Suburban College.
The Illinois Department of Transportation and the participating community colleges do not guarantee employment upon trainees’ graduation from the Highway Construction Careers Training Program.
