Major: Project Hire-Ed
David Mooshool took two years of manufacturing classes at York Community High School before becoming a youth apprentice through the DuPage County Work-Based Learning Consortium.
DuPage County Work-Based Learning Consortium
The program was launched by College of DuPage and the DuPage County Regional Office of Education to help create a talent pipeline for a variety of careers, starting with manufacturing.“The program was brand new at York and seemed like a good opportunity to get work experience in a field I was considering for my career,” he said. “Toward the end of my senior year, my manufacturing teacher mentioned that I could continue with my work and education through the Project Hire-Ed program at COD. It seemed like an amazing program to be a part of, and after talking with counselors, I decided to enroll after graduation.”
Project Hire-Ed is a work-based learning program that addresses the specific hiring and skill set needs of local employers. Apprentices begin working in their careers while attending COD classes at the same time.
Mooshool works as a control panel wireman at Simplex System Controls, Inc., while pursuing his Electro-Mechanical Technician certificate.
All of my professors at COD have been great. They have many years of work and teaching experience and are very good at explaining confusing topics.
David Mooshool
“COD is helping me toward my goals by giving me the education and skills I need to perform well at my company,” he said. “So far, all of my professors at COD have been great. They have many years of work and teaching experience and are very good at explaining confusing topics. Through the Youth Apprenticeship program, I rotated through many roles at Simplex—shipping and receiving, assembly, and a little quality control. Now, as a wireman through Project Hire-Ed, my tasks include preparing an empty panel to mount all the components, reading schematics given to us by our customers, stripping, labeling, placing, and securing wires in the correct location.
“My mentor at Simplex, Matt, is also a wireman and has been at Simplex for many years. He has great knowledge about the components and their functions, and he gives good tips and tricks to make the wiring process easier and faster.”
After earning his certificate, Mooshool would like to continue his education and complete the Associate in Applied Science in Manufacturing Technology as well as other certifications that can help advance his career.
He is glad that he found Project Hire-Ed and encourages other students to enroll.
“It’s a great opportunity to learn and work in your chosen career,” he said. “The administrators of the program are very supportive and available to help with scheduling classes and coordinating everything the program offers.”
Learn more about the Project Hire-Ed program at College of DuPage