Our Successes

Shane became a Man-Tra-Con customer while incarcerated and participating in the Murphysboro Life Skills Re-Entry program. He had been selected to enroll in a Mobile Accelerated Welding training program provided at the Murphysboro facility.

Kevin had been “laid off” during the pandemic and needed assistance with rejoining the workforce.

Apprenticeship and Special Grants Coordinator Erica Travelstead reports on her customer. “Katie wanted to transition to manufacturing and thought a position with the Schirm plant in Benton, Illinois, presented the perfect opportunity.

Nataly had been working at Shawnee Health as a professional medical interpreter when she first learned about the apprenticeship program. Nataly had always wanted to work toward a career in the medical field.

Our very own apprenticeship participant, Zoe Pierce, was recently selected to be an Illinois Apprentice Ambassador by the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board and Apprenticeship Illinois Committee. Apprentice Ambassadors serve as champions for Apprenticeship programs by sharing their success stories and promoting Apprenticeships to career seekers and employers.

In March 2022, Marissa began her apprenticeship as a Medical Assistant at Shawnee Health. Before joining Shawnee Health, Marissa had been a part-time secretary at a local church. She heard about the Apprenticeship Program from her mom and “jumped at the opportunity.”

Career Specialist Nikki Lanham reports on her customer. “Thomas first visited Man-Tra-Con in January 2020, seeking training assistance. He had been laid off from his job in the coal mines, where he worked as a mechanic,” Nikki explains.

Career Specialist Shaun Drue reports on her customer. “Megan enrolled at Man-Tra-Con to receive WIOA training assistance in July 2021. She needed help to pay for her tuition, fees, books, supplies, and transportation, including her cap and gown for graduation. Megan also needed career and employment guidance. We provided WIOA employment and training services to her while she was enrolled in the program,” Shaun explains.

Intake Coordinator Jo Dene Kern reports on her customer. “Elle’s educational journey to become a Registered Nurse began when she visited Man-Tra-Con for training assistance in September 2017. At the time, she was 23 years old, unemployed, a single mom to a 3-year-old son, and 100 miles away from family. With WIOA training assistance, she enrolled in the spring 2018 semester at John A. Logan College (JALC) to earn pre-requisite credits toward the Nursing program,” Jo Dene explains.

Career Specialist Shaun Drue reports on her customer. “In February 2020, Crystal visited Man-Tra-Con seeking training assistance. A single mom of 2 teenage girls, she had been working part-time and wanted to return to school to get a better paying job,” Shaun explains.