The Lake Land College Center for Business and Industry held a celebratory breakfast on April 28 in honor of National Apprenticeship week to recognize business partnerships and apprentice accomplishments.
Featured Speaker Lesa Allsop, Lake Land College Apprenticeship Coordinator, shared her experiences as a current apprentice and highlighted the value of the unique partnership between apprentices, companies and the college.
“You aren’t just learning how to do a job. You are becoming professionals in your field,” Allsop said. “When you commit to learning your craft, you are investing in yourself. You’re building skills, confidence and knowledge that will carry you forward throughout your career.”
During the event, all 2026 apprentices and companies were recognized for their participation in the Lake Land College Registered Apprenticeship program.
Clay Kibler, C.R. Neff Plumbing, Heating and A/C
Braydon Letterle, F & C Concrete
Jeremy Boehm, Flex-N-Gate
Kenny East, Flex-N-Gate
Ulrickson Jules, Flex-N-Gate
Bryce Snyder, Flex-N-Gate
Amanda Tucker, Flex-N-Gate
Alec VonBehren, Flex-N-Gate
Kia Herschberger, Lincoln Health Care Group
Amanda Meiksane, Lincoln Health Care Group
Calista Stewart, Lincoln Health Care Group
Derrick Bauer, North American Lighting
Samantha Baker, Safety Storage
Alyssa Cavazos, Stevens Industries
Lesa Allsop, Lake Land College
Lake Land also recognized the apprentices and companies that participated in the apprenticeship program in 2025:
Evan Gardner, North American Lighting
Wyatt Haycraft, JB Esker & Sons
Lake Land College also recognized KC Summers Auto Group, Montessori Kids Universe of Effingham, Rural King and Three Sisters Logistics for hosting apprentices in previous years, and for their ongoing support and contribution to the Lake Land Apprenticeship Program.
Lake Land College President Josh Bullock also presented at the event, thanking the company leaders who had the vision to work with Lake Land on building new and unique apprenticeships outside the traditional trades and manufacturing industries.
“As we look to the future, we know that strategic partnerships with businesses like yours, which invest in their employees and communities, are the key to empowering economic growth in our region,” Bullock said.
With Lake Land College’s apprenticeship programs, students develop crucial career skills with hands-on learning on Lake Land’s campus and apply those skills in real workplaces. The format provides students with practical education, mentorship opportunities and the ability to earn a salary while their tuition is covered by a sponsoring business. These businesses, meanwhile, benefit from an expanded pool of qualified candidates for high-demand positions.
Apprenticeship opportunities at Lake Land College are available in a wide range of career fields, including construction, manufacturing, health care, commercial driving and early childhood education. For more information, contact Allsop at 217-234-5228 or lallsop@LakeLandCollege.edu.