The City of Collinsville receives the 2023 IWP Business Leadership Award from DCEO Deputy Director Julio Rodriguez (center) and IWP President Caroline Portlock (left).
The City of Collinsville has been instrumental in the creation and success of the first Registered Apprenticeship program for High School students with disabilities. The program created in a partnership between the US Department of Labor (USDOL), Madison County Employment and Training, the city of Collinsville, and Collinsville School District Unit 10.
This innovative program has now seen 5 youth with disabilities receive their USDOL Registered Apprenticeships Certificates and all have been offered continuing employment with the city.
The city originally created three apprenticeship programs: at the Gateway Convention Center, Housekeeping and Event Associate, with the Parks and Recreation Department, Landscaper/Groundskeeper. Beginning with the third cohort of students, a fourth apprenticeship has been created with the Streets Department — Street Maintenance.
The city and their staff have been a key piece to the success of this program, the HR Department has created an on boarding process that has led to realistic expectations of the participants and a hiring process similar to a full-time employee. The front-line staff has been outstanding working with these students, adjusting the way they work with them, mentoring them, supporting them and being coworkers with them.
