ERCA Hosts Orientation Event

Effingham Regional Career Academy welcomed students and parents to the Lake Land College Kluthe Center for Fall 2024 Orientation Night.

The Orientation event was open to all enrolled students for the Fall 2024 semester and their parents, as well as students, parents and community members who are interested in learning more about ERCA. After a brief welcome, students heard about the current lineup of Fall classes.

Thanks to a partnership with Lake Land College, many of the Fall classes are available as the dual credit classes. This means any student who chooses to continue their education after high school will be able to count their ERCA credits toward a LLC program.

Classes for ERCA will begin on Aug. 19. Students at any of the 14 school districts that participate in the ERCA program are eligible to register by talking to their guidance counselors.

ERCA courses are designed to aid high school seniors in pursuing training for high-demand careers in the regional workforce. The Fall 2024 semester includes a CDL training course and a Make-It Manufacturing course, as well as courses in IT, agriculture careers and healthcare basics. Creating targeted educational opportunities in Agriculture, Healthcare, Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing and Transportation give these students a jumpstart on their future. It will also positively impact the region’s future access to a skilled workforce, as well as agility in adapting to ongoing industry trends.

The 14 school districts participating in ERCA include Altamont, Beecher City, Dieterich, Effingham, St. Anthony and Teutopolis in Effingham County; North Clay in Clay County; Cumberland and Neoga in Cumberland County; Brownstown and St. Elmo in Fayette County; Newton in Jasper County and Cowden-Herrick and Stewardson-Strasburg in Shelby County.

ERCA will also offer the same educational opportunities to incumbent workers who want to advance in their existing careers. For more information about ERCA, ERCF and the upcoming semester, email Norma Lansing, Board Chair, n.lansing@erca.us.