CLC honors students earning career certificates

Thirty-three adult education students at the College of Lake County recently became first group to earn career certificates as part of a program that launched in fall 2017.

Known as the Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System, the program allows students who have completed their English as a Second Language or High School Equivalency program to earn one or more career certificates in one or two semesters, including summers.

Of the 2017-18 group of certificate-earners, 18 students, along with their families, attended a Dec. 17 luncheon at the Grayslake Campus. The career certificates awarded included the following: six for Automotive Brakes and Suspension Specialist; six for Automotive Oil Change Specialist; one for Automotive Service Specialist; four for Certified Nursing Assistant; one for Healthcare Office Assistant; five for HVAC/R Installation Technician; and one for Phlebotomy Technician.

Additionally, 10 students completed training in Personal Care Aide through the college's Workforce Professional Development Institute. Any of the certificates can lead to a career or serve as a gateway to additional certificate programs or an associate degree.

The ICAPS program supports students through team teaching by faculty from a division, such as Biological and Health Sciences, as well as the Adult Education and ESL division. While participating in an ICAPS career certificate program, students are also enrolled in an Adult Education support class that includes study skills, time management, homework completion and review of class content.

Enabling adult education students to transition to a postsecondary education and earn a credential is part of CLC's response to a changing job marketplace.

"Studies show that by 2020, 65 percent of all jobs in the U.S. will require postsecondary education and training. Also under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, adult education providers such as CLC are part of the workforce development in their local communities to meet the needs of both employers and the workforce," said Dr. Santos-George, dean of Adult Education and ESL.

The ICAPS opportunity to learn English and new job skills has made a difference for Francisco Aguilar, 44, a Round Lake resident who earned a certificate in HVAC/R Installation Technician.

"The instructors were very helpful, not only for my electricity and HVAC courses, but also in learning English, taking notes and building my study skills," said Aguilar, a repair technician for a vending machine company.

"I am now enrolled at CLC for the Spring Semester, and my goal is to earn another HVAC/R certificate and possibly an A.A.S. degree in the field."

Funded by the federal and state Adult Education and Family Literacy grant, ICAPS is part of CLC's Step-Up program designed to help adult education students prepare them for college and a career.

For details, visit www.clcillinois.edu/stepup. To learn more about the Adult Education and ESL division, visit www.clcillinois.edu/adulted, call (847) 543-2021 or (847) 543-2445 or email adulteducation@clcillinois.edu.

For more information on the state ICAPS program, of which CLC is a member, visit www.icapsillinois.com/.

For more information about the College of Lake County, visit www.clcillinois.edu.