Sandburg welcomes applications for the “Workforce Pipeline Program” career exploration and work-based learning program funded through the Illinois Community College Board’s Trades School Grant. This program will run during the spring 2025 semester afternoons where students will explore careers in the manufacturing or automotive industry. 

The application period for this program closes at 11:59 p.m. on January 8, 2025 unless all seats are filled prior.

Application criteria

Applicant must:

• Be a Sandburg district resident
• Fall within the age range of 17-23 years of age as of Jan. 13, 2025   
• Have the legal right to work in the U.S.
• Have a keen interest in learning about career opportunities in the manufacturing career pathway

Additionally, applicants must meet oneof the following criteria:

• Have obtained a high school diploma or GED by Jan. 13, 2025
• Be in senior standing at a local high school or homeschool program
• Be actively enrolled in a high school diploma program through ROE#33 Adult Education

Applicants must meet the college’s Accuplacer placement testing requirements or provide official ACT/SAT testing scores that meet the college’s minimum-score requirements prior to submitting an application to the Workforce Pipeline Program. Acceptance into the program is communicated to applicants via e-mail. Applications are reviewed and accepted first-come, first-served. Please note: The application period may close early in the event all seats are filled. 

Applicants who are current high school or ROE#33 Adult Ed students must obtain approval to participate from their home high school or the ROE before applying (verified upon acceptance).

The Workforce Pipeline program will be offered during Sandburg’s spring 2025 semester (Jan. 13, 2025-May 7, 2025) and will run Monday through Friday  noon-3 p.m. Students must commit to participating for the entire duration of the program.

Students must have reliable transportation to and from Sandburg’s Galesburg campus and their assigned worksite location. Transportation from the Galesburg campus to field trip sites during the first eight weeks will be provided.

The ICCB Trades School Grant funding will furnish the following for accepted participants:

• Tuition, fees, textbook access and supplies
• Loaner laptops
• Mileage reimbursement (special restrictions apply) 
• Financial support stipends to offset expenses related to participating in the program 

The program is split into two, eight-week sessions during the spring term as follows: 

First eight weeks — Jan. 13-March 6, 2025

Manufacturing Exploration Path

Two Sandburg credit courses — three afternoons per week

• Career Skills for Industry (IND.100 – 1 Sandburg credit*)
• Industrial Safety (MFG.130 — 2 Sandburg credits*)
• OSHA-10 Safety Certification
• Career exploration and preparation activities — two afternoons per week

Automotive Exploration Path

Two Sandburg credit courses — three afternoons per week

• Career Skills for Industry (IND.100 — 1 Sandburg credit*)
• Introduction to Automotive Technology (AUT.114 — 2 Sandburg credits*)
• S/P2 Safety Certification
• Career exploration and preparation activities — two afternoons per week

Second eight weeks — March 17-May 7, 2025

Both Manufacturing and Automotive Exploration Paths

• Completion of Sandburg’s Employability Skills Academy (1 vocational skills credit**) — one afternoon per week
• Completion of a worksite experience at an assigned employer (six-20 hours per week) — up to four afternoons per week

* This course may be available for dual credit as determined by the participant’s home high school.

**Vocational skills credits are approved by the Illinois Community College Board; however, they’re not credit-bearing and aren’t intended for transfer.  

Accuplacer testing information

Galesburg

Call the Testing Center at 309.345.3500 for assistance scheduling your Accuplacer test session, or register for a session here. 

Carthage

Testing by appointment on the following days:

• Mondays: 3:30-5 p.m.
• Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Thursdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Applicants should call 217.357.3129 to schedule a testing session at the Carthage location.

Testing Center website

Visit the Testing Center website at: sandburg.edu/accuplacer.