Apprentices among Heartland graduates

(The 2024 Rivian apprentices through Heartland Community College, photo provided)

Heartland Community College students involved in apprenticeship programs will were among those crossing the stage at the 2024 Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 17 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

Heartland’s registered apprenticeship programs are unique, flexible instruction programs combining job related courses with structured on-the-job learning experiences. The goal for apprenticeship programs is to provide workers with advanced skill sets that meet the specific needs of employer

Two separate cohorts of apprentices from Rivian Automotive graduated with Associate of Applied Science degrees and job-specific certifications. 

Industrial Maintenance apprentices have gained certifications or micro-certificates in High Voltage Battery Technology, Robotics Operation, Electronics Skills, Automation Technology and Industrial Technology on their pathway to a degree.

Tool and Die apprentices have completed work for certifications in Manual Machining, CNC Machining, Machine Tool Technology, Design and Fabrication Skills, and Industrial Technology on their degree pathway.

Rivian apprentices who graduated are: Jacob Banks (Danvers), Bryce Backlund (Heyworth), Alex Becker (Hudson), Ashton Joslin (Normal), Kyle Kamp (Peoria), Terry Parrish (Pekin), and Jessica Wernsman (Peoria).

Six Nursing students in the Registered Nurse Apprentice program, a partnership between Heartland Community College Health Sciences and OSF Healthcare, also graduated this spring. The program supports final year nursing students in their transition to becoming skilled healthcare professionals. Michelle Ciulla (Fairbury), Isabella Fisher (Mount Prospect), Heba Freese (Normal), Bethany Hospelhorn (Normal), Madeline Lawrence (Bloomington), and Ruth Mavinga (Normal), are the first nurse apprentices to graduate from the program.