Apprenticeship program at Joliet Jr. College is a win-win for students and employers

Editor’s note: This is the first of a four-part series on Joliet Junior College academic and career-training programs.

Gage Hamerlink just finished his first semester at Joliet Junior College, and he has a sous chef to thank.

Hamerlink, 21, of Ottawa started working at the Burger and Sushi House in Ottawa two years ago. A sous chef, who is also a co-worker, graduated from JJC’s culinary arts program and recommended the program to Hamerlink.

When Hamerlink registered for culinary classes, he also learned about - and was interested in - JJC’s registered apprenticeship program. So JJC college reached out to Hamerlink’s supervisor, Hamerlink said.

“They set everything up for me,” Hamerlink said.

Before starting at JJC, Hamerlink said he merely “floated around” the various workstations at the Burger and Sushi House, learning how each one worked. Now Hamerlink is a keyholder and prepares specialty sauces, he said.

JJC’s registered apprenticeship program combines classroom education with structured instruction in the workplace by matching students with the right skills to the right company, according to Dain Meza-Gotto, apprenticeship specialist at JJC.

Apprenticeships are available in several industries, including manufacturing, culinary arts, health care, information technology and transportation, Meza-Gotto said, adding more may be included in the future.

“We take a look at the market that exists and see where they [students] could easily obtain good quality, high paying jobs,” Dain Meza-Gotto said.

For instance, Logoplaste hired four industrial maintenance mechanic apprentices in May, he said. More recently, JJC recently supplied GAD Group Technology, Inc. with 38 potential applicants when the company needed to hire an IT support analyst, Meza-Gotto said.

JJC wants to ensure companies receive “really strong candidates” and screens students to find the best fit, Meza-Gotto said. The employer also needs the resources to sustain an apprenticeship for a couple of years, he added.

“A manufacturer based out of Batavia provided study space on the job for their apprentices, know that it’s sometimes difficult for them to spend that time studying while at home if they have kids or family members there,”Meza-Gotto said.

Although a few employers did lay off apprentices at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation reversed itself by March 2021. By then, employers were contacting JJC about the registered apprenticeship program as a way of rebuilding their work force, Meza-Gotto said.

Grants from organizations such as Illinois Community College Board, the American Association of Community Colleges and Calumet Area Industrial Commission help JJC develop various apprenticeship programs, Meza-Gotto said. JJC’s registered apprenticeship program currently has 15 active apprentices, he said.

The registered apprenticeship program is a win-win for students and employers. Meza-Gotto said that, nationally, 94% of students who complete their apprenticeship stay with the company.

“Right now, turnover is a major issue in our nation,” Meza-Gotto said. “Apprenticeships help reduce that turnover.”

Hamerlink plans to stay at the Burger and Sushi House after he graduates from JJC,e eventually working his way up to kitchen manager and then sous chef.

“Five to 10 years outside school, I’d like to be an executive chef at a high-end restaurant,” Hamerlink said.

Hamerlink said he’s learned culinary is more than cooking. It’s also catering, ice carving and learning to manage an establishment, Hamerlink said. And he’s building solid work experience at the same time, he said.

“”I’m really excited to actually be able to apply what I learn in school with my work,” Hamerlink said. “I’m only 25% of the way through and already I use the skills I learned at school every single day at my job.”

Hamerlink said he enjoys the “instant gratification” of making a dish customers enjoy.

“It’s the way I’m built, personally,” Hamerlink said. “I need that instant appeal.”

For more information, visit jjc.edu/community/workforce-development.