Enbridge Supports KCC Welding & Electrical Technology Programs
Kankakee Community College press release
A pipeline company connects energy over long distances. The pipeline company Enbridge has now provided a more local connection—for students to gain a Kankakee Community education.
Enbridge, a pipeline firm that has been running pipeline through portions of Kankakee, Livingston, Grundy and Will counties, has donated $5,000 for KCC scholarships for welding and electrical technology students.
John Gauderman, Enbridge Director of Chicago Region Operations, presented the donation check to KCC President John Avendano at the college’s Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Center on Friday, Dec. 11.
“When one of our pipelines cross a community, we want to make sure we’re not just being seen as a pipeline company, but a good neighbor to those who live and work near our operations,” said Gauderman. “That’s why we’re so happy to form this partnership with the great people at KCC.”
“Any time we can significantly reduce a program’s cost as a possible barrier to student success, both the students and KCC are declared winners,” said Paul Carlson, KCC associate dean of the Business and Technology Division.
The scholarships will help fund the cost of tuition.
“We are grateful to Enbridge for their commitment to our district and the students that we serve,” said Kelly Myers, executive director of the KCC Foundation.
Work on Enbridge’s pipeline project in this area, called Line 78, began in early 2015. The line stretches for approximately 79 miles.
KCC offers a number of options in welding and electrical technology, from short-term certificates to associate degrees, which typically take two years to complete. The programs concentrate on hands-on learning and are designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce. For more information, visit www.kcc.edu or phone the college Business/Technology Division at 815-802-8850.