College of DuPage Partners with Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters to Offer Degree

College of DuPage is partnering with the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters (CRCC) to offer up to 37 college credits toward the Associate in General Studies degree to graduates of the apprenticeship program, paving the way for thousands of skilled, accredited carpenters to advance their education.

The initiative has been approved by the Illinois Community College Board and will begin this fall. College of DuPage is a member of the Registered Apprenticeship College Consortium, a network of colleges and registered apprenticeship programs under the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship that work together to provide college-to-career opportunities.

"We are proud to enter into a partnership with College of DuPage and help advance the education of our apprentice program graduates," said Frank Libby, president of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters.

The CRCC represents tens of thousands of men and women throughout 81 counties in Northern Illinois, Southeast Wisconsin and Eastern Iowa.

John Kronenburger, COD Associate Dean of Technology, said the CRCC approached the College about providing credit to students who completed the five-year apprenticeship program. The CRCC's goal was to find a community college to provide continuing education and life-long learning for the organization's carpenters in each of the north, central and southern regions of the Chicago area.

"We looked at different options and determined that the Associate in General Studies was a nice fit," Kronenburger said. "After completing the apprenticeship program, graduates can then earn an additional 27 credits in general education courses at College of DuPage. By earning an AGS degree, students are both expanding their career opportunities and positioning themselves to pursue a bachelor's degree if desired."

If the initiative is successful, Kronenburger said the next goal is finding another apprenticeship program and building the same bridge to an associate's degree.

"We want to encourage students to continue their education, and we will provide as many avenues to success as possible," he said.

For more information, contact John Kronenburger at (630) 942-3614 or kronenburgerj@cod.edu.