CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Parkland College has partnered with Rick Ridings Automotive Group of Monticello to launch a new apprenticeship program designed to strengthen the regional automotive workforce and enhance hands-on learning opportunities for students in the Automotive Technology and Ford ASSET programs.
Rick Ridings Automotive Group has served Central Illinois for three decades, and is looking to invest in the next generation of skilled technicians with this apprenticeship program. By training in one of two automotive programs, apprentices develop technical and Coehn Steenbergen (left), apprentice and Louis VonHatten (right), Service Manager at Rick Ridings Chevy Buick in Monticello, soft skills in addition to an associate in applied science degree and USDOL journeyworker certificate.
A highlight of the four-year customized training program is the mentorship the apprentices receive from experienced technicians in the Ridings dealerships. Apprentices will attend full-time training and work part-time for the first two years of the apprenticeship, then transition to full-time work in either Rick Ridings Ford or Rick Ridings Chevrolet Buick.
“Our partnership with Parkland and the automotive programs has been a fantastic opportunity for the Ridings organization,” said Louis VonHatten, Rick Ridings Chevy Buick service manager. “As a business looking for skilled technicians, it’s given us the opportunity to help develop and train from the beginning, adding great quality to our workforce. At a personal level, the opportunity to play a role in the growth of these young people is vastly rewarding. We look forward to years of partnership and growth.”
As part of the partnership, Rick Ridings Automotive Group will receive Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Incumbent Worker Training funding, administered by the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, to assist with the cost of training apprentices and upskilling its workforce.
“Parkland is thrilled to expand our apprenticeship offerings through our latest partnership with Rick Ridings Auto Group,” said Parkland’s director of apprenticeship operations Aimee Densmore. “Ridings has partnered with the college for many years to train automotive technicians, and it’s exciting to collaborate with the Ridings leadership team to strategically design their talent pipeline by investing in the registered apprenticeship model.”
Businesses in District 505 that wish to explore opportunities available within an apprenticeship program partnership may contact Densmore at adensmore@parkland.edu. Individuals interested in applying for the apprenticeship program can learn more at parkland.edu/apprenticeship.
