The Highway Construction Careers Training Program is a 450-hour training program. The program runs Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily for a minimum of 12 weeks. This is a pre-apprenticeship program for individuals interested in getting into an apprenticeship program with any of the construction trades.

Registration for orientation and testing is postponed until May 1, 2025 for the class that begins on August 11, 2025.

The Highway Construction Careers Training Program is intended to help women, minorities, and disadvantaged individuals gain acceptance into the construction trades. The admission process is extremely competitive and not all who apply will be accepted. There is no cost to the program! (The program is funded by a partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation.) Students will be paid a stipend for each FULL hour of training completed to help with expenses.

The application process starts with the mandatory one-hour informational orientation followed directly by assessment testing. The applicant needs to score at least a seventh-grade level to be considered for the program. Those who pass the assessment test will be moved into the interview round. After interviews, a selection of candidates will be sent for mandatory drug screening and physical agility day. Accepted candidates will be notified once all steps have been completed.