Parkland College Announces Expansion of Collision Repair Apprenticeship Program
The nationally recognized apprentice program to train and develop collision repair technicians at Parkland has expanded.
Parkland College announced further expansion of its nationally recognized apprentice program to train and develop collision repair technicians.
Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD), the 24th-largest employer in Champaign County, has agreed to support Parkland's Collision Repair Technology program by sponsoring a U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprentice in its Urbana bus maintenance facility this fall.
Josh Berbaum, maintenance and facilities director at MTD, said his company seeks to partner with local colleges to promote higher education and invest in the community.
"This not only benefits MTD but the community as well," Berbaum said. "We believe in the work that Parkland is doing through their technical college courses and do everything we can to help make it a success."
The program will combine on-the-job training with an experienced MTD mentor along with Parkland's Associate in Applied Science degree instruction in Collision Repair Technology. After completing the program, graduates will receive a nationally recognized journey worker certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor and a degree from Parkland. The college has additional collision training apprenticeships with local companies.
"Parkland College is committed to creating pathways that lead directly to career opportunities in high-demand fields," said Aimee Densmore, director of apprenticeships. "We're thrilled to partner with MTD, a forward-thinking organization known for its innovation and commitment to sustainability. MTD's sponsorship of this apprenticeship program not only provides our students with invaluable hands-on experience but also reinforces their role as a leader in our community. Together, we're not just building careers in collision repair; we’re helping to ensure the future success and growth of our local workforce."
MTD's first collision repair apprentice, Grace Barringer of Oreana, said the program has given her a motivational boost toward automotive training.
"I grew up spending time with my dad working on vehicles," Barringer said. "He started taking me to car shows and demo derbies. There was an awesome derby car I loved, and I got to meet the crew. That's when I learned about collision repair. Since starting at Parkland and MTD, I’m more invested in my future career than I’ve ever been."
Additional support for the new apprenticeship comes from Collision Engineering, an affiliate of Enterprise Holdings that specializes in supporting post-secondary schools with collision repair programs by helping them establish innovative apprenticeship initiatives, utilizing their eight weeks in the classroom and eight-week work rotation model. Collision Engineering offers financial support to apprentices enrolled in the program by subsidizing the cost of tools, industry certifications, tuition, and more.
An exclusive benefit of Parkland's partnership with Collision Engineering provides each apprentice access to a $5,000 Quality of Life Scholarship thanks to the support from the Ford Foundation.
Businesses in District 505 that wish to explore opportunities available within an apprenticeship program partnership may contact Aimee Densmore, director of apprenticeships, workforce development, at adensmore@parkland.edu. Individuals interested in applying for the apprenticeship program can learn more at parkland.edu/apprenticeship.
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MTD provides affordable public transportation to the cities of Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy as well as the University of Illinois campus. Committed to public service, MTD delivers thousands of students, employees, patients, and customers to their destinations though 25 fixed-routes and on-demand paratransit services. With 118 low and zero emission buses serving over 2,000 bus stops, MTD provides reliable and sustainable mobility options for everyone.
MTD has been recognized as the “Most Innovative Transit Agency” by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for their creative implementation of a climate action strategy, which includes producing hydrogen fuel using solar power for their zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. Whether it’s getting passengers across town to work, doing their part to change mobility in the region, or strengthening connections within the community, MTD is helping residents in our district, and the transit industry, thrive. Learn more at mtd.org.
Parkland College is a fully accredited public community college serving the needs of District 505, Illinois' third largest community college district. Offering 130+ degree and certificate options for career placement or academic transfer, Parkland's programs keep in step with today's careers and the employment needs of the area and feature the latest technologies in computers, agriculture, automotive, healthcare, media, and more. Agreements with state public and private four-year institutions ensure transferable credits, while Parkland's partnerships with area businesses provide students with hands-on, real-world experience. The mission of Parkland College is to engage the community in learning.