Cole and Seth have been employed at Lighthouse Buick GMC as a part of the SkillsUSA Illinois registered Apprenticeship Program through the Illinois Department of Labor and since early 2022. As one of the first business partners to join in on the program, Lighthouse has consistently been open, responsive, and communicative to allow the program to expand and develop quickly and positively. 

For Cole, he feels SkillsUSA Illinois helped him take the step to go to college to further his career as an automotive technician. SkillsUSA Illinois helped aid in his on-the-job training as well as school success by introducing the Registered Apprenticeship Program opportunity, as well as connecting Lighthouse with resources to assist with college tuition reimbursement. 

Cole was originally employed as a standard employee, but SkillsUSA Illinois helped him into the apprenticeship position where he was able to take full advantage of all the benefits the program has to offer. 

Cole urges any student who is ready to learn and start on a successful career path to join SkillsUSA Illinois and become a part of their programs; especially the Registered Apprenticeship Program. He describes the experience as amazing, informative, and one he believes will help anyone achieve great success.

Seth was introduced to SkillsUSA Illinois by his shop teacher, Chad McFarland, from Morton High School. He was informed of the opportunity to go through an automotive program with an apprenticeship that was free to him and where he would be paid well to learn and attend school, as well as potentially have his college education paid for. Seth expresses the relief he had upon hearing this as, at the time, he wasn’t sure what he would be able to do after high school. 

Seth believes what SkillsUSA Illinois and the Registered Apprenticeship Program offers is an avenue of security where the participants know they will get good education and training and the employers know they will get skills and motivated workers. Seth expresses his belief he is able to provide better quality work because his mind is relieved of most financial and employment stress, so he can truly dedicate his time and attention to honing his craft. 

For those considering joining SkillsUSA Illinois, Seth urges people to be ready and open to learn. The organization and their programs allow participants to build great skillsets along their chosen career path. He also tells potential members to be ready to have fun, learn, make good money, and start a great career with the potential for growth, both in the field and in their education.