ICCTA Business/Industry Partnership Award

2010 Recipients
Richland Community Collegeand
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 146


Since 1998, Richland Community College and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 146 have cooperated to increase educational opportunities for electrician apprentices.

Aspiring electricians who are completing their five-year journeyperson certification may also earn an associate in applied science degree at the same time. Upon the completiong of training, the student is qualified to work on industrial, commercial, and residential construction projects or in repair and maintenance jobs anywhere in the United States.



ICCTA vice president David Harby (left) congratulates Richland Community College officials Doug Brauer (second from left) and Kathy Carter (far right) and IBEW representatives Jason Drake (center) and Shad Etchason on earning ICCTA's 2010 Business/Industry Partnership Award.

ICCTA vice president David Harby (left) congratulates
Richland Community College officials Doug Brauer
(second from left) and Kathy Carter (far right) and IBEW
Local 146 representatives Jason Drake (center) and
Shad Etchason on receiving ICCTA's 2010 Business/Industry Partnership Award.

The addition of the general education courses increases the skill level capacities of the graduate apprentices and enhances their opportunities for promotion. Associate degree graduates are hired first for all construction jobs.

Program eligibility extends beyond Richland's district into 12 counties and three other community colleges in central Illinois (Lake Land College, Lincoln Land Community College and Parkland College). Because of the partnership's regional designation, an apprentice may take general education courses at any of the four institutions.

"IBEW values its partnership with Richland and appreciates their commitment in addressing the specialized educational training needs of business and industry," says IBEW business manager Shad Etchason.