Continental Tire of the Americas celebrated its apprenticeship program with Kaskaskia and Rend Lake Colleges with its first apprentice signing event at its plant last Friday.
Apprentices will attend Kaskaskia College or Rend Lake Community College two days per week and work at Continental Tire three days per week. By the end of the two-year program, students will have completed an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Technology with an electronics technician for industrial engineering focus.
Kaskaskia College Dean of Workforce Engagement and Industrial Careers Joy Fitts says the program is a fantastic opportunity to obtain your degree with little to no cost, apply the skills you are learning in the classroom at Continental and jump-start your career. This is the second year Kaskaskia has participated in the program. The college currently has two participants.
One of the first-year apprentices, Mitchell Miller, said he never thought about college after high school because he didn’t know how he would be able to pay for it. He said he loved the opportunity after interviewing with the apprentice hiring committee, touring the facility, and meeting potential coworkers. Miller noted it was such a great opportunity because Continental pays for tuition and books and he’s excited about working for the company and having a good job.
Second-year apprentice Cory Perry said the experience has been beyond what he could have expected, allowing him to develop valuable skills while working alongside talented individuals. He was drawn to the program due to its reputation for hands-on learning and industry exposure.
Overall, Kaskaskia College now has 15 apprentices with seven employers. While the Continental Tire apprenticeship starts in the fall with spring recruitment, apprenticeships with some employers can begin at any time during the year.
For more information on the program, you may contact Fitts at 618-545-3113 or jfitts@kaskaskia.edu.
Second-year apprentice Corey Perry in Continental Tire North America apprentice training room.
