Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  News Features
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 ChalleNGe Academy initiative gives cadets job skills By Illinois National Guard
 RANTOUL, Ill. – Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy is reaching beyond academics and offering its cadets vocational job skills and certifications that can help put them on the path to a bright future. "For nearly 30 years, LCA has helped develop young men and women to be a better version of themselves with a focus on education and discipline," said LCA Director Michael Haerr of Eureka. "And while we stay true to that, LCA is a life-skills program, not just a place to get a GED. If we can provide the skills and training they need to find employment and future careers, we can make a greater impact on who they can become." Candy Arnold, LCA's placement department supervisor, said the workforce initiative provides cadets with training that helps them find employment and exposes them to different careers. The academy has been working with community partners such as Parkland College and GAF Roofing Academy to train and certify cadets in food handling, forklift operating, roofing and welding. The LCA program is administered by the Illinois National Guard for Illinois youth ages 16-18 who have dropped out of high school. It begins with a five-month residential life-skills program in a quasi-military environment on the academy's campus on the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul. A year-long mentoring program follows the residential phase. This past week, five cadets with LCA's Class 56-21 attended the last of five Introduction to Welding classes at Parkland's Applied Technology Center in Champaign. Of the approximately 90 cadets graduating from the academy's residential phase Oct. 30, 20 will be starting employment in their communities using the tools and skills learned during their time as cadets in the academy. Arnold said LCA plans to provide training for prospective certified nursing assistants; more advanced thermo-compressive welding; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; vehicle operation and more. "We are continuing to expand what we offer. This gives cadets more ways to prosper once they complete the program," said Arnold. "The academy is a stepping-stone. We want to do everything we can to get them ready for their futures and help them find their career paths." Arnold's department helps cadets in the residential program find jobs, develop life plans, and explore career and secondary education paths. The department also teaches financial literacy and interview skills and helps cadets develop resumes. Placement also tracks the education and career achievement of graduates during the one-year post-residential program. "Even within the last few classes since the workforce initiative officially started, we have seen past cadets finding employment in the different trades and skilled labor," Arnold said. "Being able to provide job skills training, both soft and hands-on, makes our cadets better suited for the workforce." Arnold said the GAF roofing class is one of the most popular vocational electives. Right now, roofers typically earn a starting wage of more than $19 per hour. "GAF Roofing Academy has been amazing to work with," said Arnold. "Most of it is all hands-on, and the cadets get to see what they can accomplish. They learn so much about roofing and receive a certification through GAF that makes them job-ready for a roofing company. We have several cadets who are looking into related fields and careers after attending the roofing training." While the academy still helps its cadets acquire a GED, it is also providing a path back to high school for several cadets by helping them recover high school credits lost when they dropped out. Seven cadets recovered enough credits to return to high school this month. One cadet recovered enough credits to earn her high school diploma from Urbana's Regional Board of Education District 7. "We are helping our cadets find their inner strength and a path to success that works for them," Haerr said. "That might be the additional opportunities offered by a GED, it might be earning a high school diploma or it might be learning some valuable vocational job skills. This program is all about helping these young men and women find a path that works for them and helping them stay on that path. We believe in second chances."
 SHARE
 PRINT
  Illinois National Guard
 ChalleNGe Academy
 NY Army Guard Band Performs for Netherlands King and Queen News Features • yesterday
 Chaplains Address Guard Soldiers’ Spiritual, Mental Health News Features • 6 days ago
 Guard General Retires After Final Watch at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier News Features • 7 days ago
 Young Cancer Patient Made Honorary 1st Sergeant in Illinois Guard News Features • 7 days ago
 80 Years Ago, National Guard Units Played Key Role in D-Day Landings News Features • 13 days ago
 2024 (47)  2023 (107)  2022 (121)  2021 (119)  2020 (203)  2019 (208)  2018 (165)  2017 (164)  2016 (109)  2015 (52)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil