CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — Parkland College has launched a new apprenticeship collaboration with Sam Leman Automotive Group, building on a decades-long relationship to create a talent pipeline for the company’s growing presence in the Champaign region.

The three-year registered apprenticeship combines classroom instruction with hands-on dealership experience. During the first two years, students attend Parkland full time, alternating between coursework and cooperative work experience in eight-week rotations. By graduation, participants will have completed nearly a full year of on-the-job training. In the third and fourth years, apprentices transition to full-time employment at a Sam Leman dealership while continuing to develop their skills.

Students can participate through either Parkland’s comprehensive automotive program or the Ford ASSET program, which provides training aligned with Ford Motor Company standards. Both pathways lead to an Associate in Applied Science degree and a nationally recognized completion certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship program. Participants can also earn industry certifications through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

“Sam Leman Automotive Group is making a strategic investment in developing its future technicians, and Parkland is proud to support that effort through high-quality training and real-world experience,” said Aimee Densmore, Parkland’s Director of Apprenticeships.

Brian Langley, Director of Fixed Operations at Sam Leman, said the partnership allows the company to invest in students early and build a reliable local talent pipeline.

Three apprentices from Sam Leman dealerships are currently enrolled, with four more expected to begin in fall 2026.

Businesses interested in apprenticeship partnerships can contact Densmore at adensmore@parkland.edu. Students can learn more at parkland.edu/apprenticeship.