A new partnership between Lorain County Community College and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 129 creates a pathway to the Associate of Technical Studies degree in electrical trades for electricians working on their apprenticeship programs.

Completion of the intensive five-year apprenticeship program through the IBEW and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) will allow students to earn more than half the college credits – about 36 credit hours – necessary for the associate's degree.

"This is huge for us and we are really excited about it," said Andy Kasubienski, chairman of the Lorain County Joint Apprenticeship Training committee for IBEW 129. "To have one of the best colleges in the state of Ohio, that's in our backyard, develop a partnership to help our members earn a college degree is fantastic. It gives them a real boost to go after the degree."

The apprenticeship program prepares individuals to become inside wiremen, a type of electrical worker certified to install and maintain all types of electrical systems found in commercial and industrial facilities.

"The partnership between LCCC and IBEW Local 129 is significant because it furthers the University System of Ohio plan by allowing us to serve more citizens in Lorain County," said Kelly Zelesnik, dean of LCCC's Engineering Technologies division. "And the statewide agreement with IBEW and NECA provides a framework for this partnership."

"These students can now learn their trade while earning credit towards a degree," said Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut. "This agreement helps them advance their career while helping to increase the number of Ohioans with a degree; an important step towards attracting new businesses to the state."

IBEW Local 129 will select students for the program.  Both the IBEW and LCCC will review and approve faculty for the technical training portion, which will occur in the local IBEW training facility. LCCC instructors will teach the general education courses for those seeking to continue on and earn the associate degree. These courses will be offered through the college's usual means of delivering coursework including on-campus, on-line or through Interactive Video Distance Learning.

"Awarding college credit for apprenticeship programs that meet academic standards ensures many potential students who might never have considered college will be granted an open door to a degree," Zelesnik said.

For more information call LCCC's Engineering Technologies division at (440) 366-4005.