Oakton Partners With Abt for State-of-the-Art Technician Training Program

(July 21, 2015) Oakton Community College has announced a partnership with the largest independent single-store retailer in the country, Glenview-based Abt Electronics, for a customized apprentice training program geared towards teaching future service technicians the most advanced techniques in appliance and electronics repair, HVAC installation and service.

The program will include expert training by Abt’s award-winning technical staff, as well as courses such as AC and Refrigeration, Electronics and Automatic Controls, Household Appliances and Semiconductor Theory. Current and former students of Oakton with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible to participate, and upon graduation, they will have an opportunity to pursue a full-time career with Abt.

“Abt has been a tremendous partner every step of the way,” said Oakton Interim Associate Vice President for Continuing Education, Training and Workforce Development Colette Hands. “They were very clear about their goals in partnering with Oakton to expand their already well-developed workforce.”

“We’re aiming to target top-performing students and help them establish their careers beyond the classroom with this new partnership,” said Abt Human Resources Director Bart McGuinn. “It’s about ensuring that all members of our team, current and future, are at the top of the industry.”

Free informational sessions will be held at Oakton’s Des Plaines campus, 1600 East Golf Road on:

• Wednesday, July 22, 12-2 p.m., Room 1625
• Wednesday, July 29, 6-8 p.m., Room 1604

To RSVP, email rosmith@oakton.edu.