ÐÔÊÓ½ç Celebrates Graduates of Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Published: September 28, 2026.
The ÐÔÊÓ½ç program hosted a graduation celebration for its General Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program on September 19 on its Romeoville campus. There were nearly 200 graduates who completed the 12-week program in Aurora, Grayslake/Waukegan or Joliet/Romeoville.
Sponsored and funded by the and , this program equips participants with essential skills for careers in the construction industry.
The program’s curriculum, delivered by the ÐÔÊÓ½ç Institute for Workforce Education (IWE), included nationally recognized certifications in OSHA-10, Flagger, NCCER, and First Aid/CPR. These certifications are critical for securing positions within the construction industry, with 61 graduates already successfully applying for union jobs.
Javier Garibay, EdS, executive director of IWE, opened the ceremony and underscored IWE's mission to provide high-quality, bilingual workforce development services across Illinois. Celia Colon, CEO of G.O.D. (Giving Others Dreams), delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of such programs in building a skilled and diverse workforce.
New cohorts for the Illinois Works General Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program are forming, and applications are open online at .
The Institute for Workforce Education (IWE) is Illinois’ leading provider of bilingual workforce development services, offering customized training that meets the needs of a diverse population and supports statewide economic growth.
ÐÔÊÓ½ç is a modern, enterprising, Catholic university with a growing student enrollment from GED through doctoral level programs. As part of the global Lasallian network of 65 universities, ÐÔÊÓ½ç is known for preparing graduates who impact the world for the better. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.
