Rock Island Today

Career, technical programs prepare students for immediate employment

Black Hawk College has 69 career and technical education degrees and certificates that prepare students for immediate employment in high-wage, high-demand careers.

Since 2015, the college has awarded more than 1,600 Associate in Applied Science degrees to nearly 1,500 students and more than 2,000 certificates to nearly 1,800 students in career and technical education (CTE) programs. BHC students have gone on to rewarding careers in health care, criminal justice, agriculture, business, accounting, IT and more.

“As the pandemic has waned, the demand for a skilled workforce has increased, placing greater importance on training and education that helps prepare the next generation of workers,” said Dr. Richard Bush, associate vice president.

“We are working to ensure our students will continue to be some of the best qualified in the area by updating programs and launching new programs that address the advanced skills needed in today’s workplace,” he said.

Black Hawk College has faculty members dedicated to its career programs. They bring their real world, professional experience into the classroom and many continue to work in their respective fields. They have created internships for BHC students and partnerships with business and organizations in the community.

Those connections make the college more responsive to the needs of area employers. Advisory boards made up of local business and community members help guide the college’s CTE programs.

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