JALC Highway Construction Careers Training Program Graduates 11 Students, Empowering the Next Generation of Tradespeople
Published on April 24, 2025
The Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP) held a graduation ceremony for its latest class of trainees on April 24, at John A. Logan College. The event marked an important milestone for 11 dedicated students who have completed the program and are now prepared to enter the workforce with valuable trade skills in the construction industry.
The HCCTP is committed to providing disadvantaged communities, minorities, and women the opportunity to learn hands-on construction skills to help launch meaningful careers. This semester’s graduates have demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience, and their success is a powerful example of the impact of this critical program. Since the fall of 2009, 328 students have completed the program.
Friends and family, faculty and staff from John A. Logan College (JALC), and key Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) representatives helped the graduates celebrate this important milestone.
“We are incredibly proud of this cohort of graduates,” said Martin Merrill, HCCTP Program Coordinator. “This has been an exceptional group that has worked tirelessly to acquire the skills necessary to succeed in the construction industry, and we are excited to see them embark on the next phase of their careers. Our program is dedicated to breaking down barriers to employment and creating pathways for individuals to thrive in a vital industry.”
The HCCTP provides comprehensive training in construction trades, including highway maintenance, safety practices, equipment operation, and more. Since its inception, the program has helped numerous individuals from underrepresented groups secure jobs in the construction field, fostering greater diversity and inclusion in the workforce.
“We believe this graduation is an important opportunity to showcase the achievements of our students. This is a difficult and rigorous program to complete, and this ceremony highlights the value of programs like HCCTP, which directly contribute to the growth and vitality of the local economy,” said Merrill.