What a great first month of school it has been at Tech Campus! Over 2400 students have settled into their classes and most of them have begun signing up for dual credit through the College of Lake County. For the parents reading this newsletter, dual credit is an opportunity that almost all of our students are able to achieve while still in high school. Students will earn between three and nine college credits through Tech Campus and the College of Lake County. I encourage our parents and students to talk to each other regarding this opportunity as it is absolutely free to our students while in high school and students take that credit to college with them after they graduate. To learn more about dual credit, please click below to watch a short video.

The Automotive Department at Tech Campus is one of the largest and most dynamic on campus, with more than 350 students enrolled across two programs: Automotive Service and Collision Repair. Together, these programs give students hands-on training in diagnostics, repair, bodywork, and refinishing while building the professional skills needed for success in the automotive industry.

Through the Give Me TEN + TECH50 work-based learning program, students gain real-world experience at 50 partner sites with leading employers across the region. The department also shines with projects like the student-built raffle car, which not only showcases student craftsmanship but also raises thousands of dollars each year to fund scholarships and program growth.

Guided by industry-trained instructors, students in the Automotive Department can earn dual credit in partnership with the College of Lake County, as well as industry-recognized certifications such as ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) and I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair). These credentials, combined with real-world experiences, ensure that every Tech Campus automotive student graduates with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in a fast-changing industry.

Welcome to Tech Table Talk, our new video series where administrators and teachers interview students from our various programs to hear firsthand how our students are building skills, exploring careers, and preparing for their future.

At Lake County Tech Campus, workforce development is built into everything we do. From embedded internships to our Give Me TEN + TECH50 work-based learning programs, students gain professional experience on campus and with industry partners.

Nearly one-third of our students participated in a work-based learning opportunity last year! Opportunities included:

• Tech Campus Café
• Lake County Tech Campus Pre-School
• Certified Nursing Assistant clinicals
• EMT ride-along with fire departments
• Hospital emergency room rotations
• Over 120 Industry Sites

This year, our goal is to place 225 students in the Give Me TEN + TECH50 program, our external site program. Along with guest speakers, field trips, and our annual Career Expo, our students are building the skills and connections they need to succeed in their chosen careers.