Lake Michigan College will join Jobs for the Future this week in celebrating Workforce Solutions Week. Coordinated by Jobs for the Future, Workforce Solutions Week is a nationwide celebration bringing together workers, employers, public officials and leaders from business and education.

As the recipient of a Scaling Up Breaking through Grant from Jobs for the Future and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, LMC is committed to high quality education and training programs that prepare low-skilled adults for family-sustaining careers.

Examples of this training include the Road Construction Apprenticeship Readiness (RCAR) and Energy Conservation Apprenticeship Readiness (ECAR) programs. Programs like RCAR and ECAR combine career-specific training with basic academic and career readiness skills that will help graduates be successful in the job market, the workplace, and as lifelong learners. Through these programs, LMC is preparing jobseekers and employees for careers in fields that do offer opportunity such as construction and energy conservation.

Sixteen individuals were honored Friday with certificates of completion for the ECAR program. The program, held at the College’s M-TEC facility in Benton Harbor included 270 hours of training over a nine-week period. Participants received training in areas such as applied math, construction safety, alternative energies, blue print reading and first aid.

Graduates of the program are: Marcus Alexander, Coloma; Walter Anderson, Benton Harbor; Corey Baldwin, Lawrence; Michael Baldwin, Benton Harbor; Reed Berry, St. Joseph; William DeFord, Coloma; Kris Druffel, St. Joseph; Scott Early, Stevensville; Jason Horrocks, Buchanan; Tim Schroeder, St. Joseph; Kimberley Molter, Eau Claire; Aaron Parker, Benton Harbor; Craig Pollock, Decatur; Audrey Schilling, Eau Claire; Janusz Sendor, St. Joseph; and Beverly Wade, Stevensville.