Laborers, Shawnee College partnership boosts construction management program

Local residents now have another option for enhancing their skills for a career in construction trades. 

A recent partnership between Shawnee Community College and the Southern & Central Laborers’ Union provides students with an opportunity to earn an associate of applied science, AAS, degree in construction management through the college.

The program is open to students who have been accepted as a union apprentice or have graduated from the Illinois Laborers’ & Contractors Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program, ILCJATP.

The new partnership allows students to continue their academic progress through an online AAS degree in construction management.  

The AAS degree in construction management is a cohort-based program that is 100 percent online,with 24/7 tutoring services. 

LBR-designated courses are scheduled and taught by union instructors according to the apprenticeship cycle. 

Shawnee Community College will provide general education courses taken by enrolled students. 

Students may also have an option of enrolling in a regularly scheduled Shawnee Community College general education course or enrollment in a flexibly-scheduled course for convenience. 

During a recent meeting, local labor leaders met with Shawnee Community College president Peggy Bradford to present a check for $10,000 to the Saints Foundation of Shawnee College.  

The money is to be used to provide scholarships to qualified individuals who are desiring placement in the new AAS program.  

“We are grateful to Clint Taylor and the members of the Southern & Central Laborers’ Union for partnership on behalf of skilled laborers throughout our region. We are excited to offer this degree program as a fully online option,” Bradford said.

“This program will make it easier for the hardworking men and women in our local labor force to obtain their degree and further their career. We are excited to begin this journey with them in reaching their goals.” 

More information about the program is available by contacting Shawnee Community College career services coordinator Leslie Cornelious-Weldon at 618-634-3337 or lesliec@shawneecc.edu.