Montgomery County Community College: MCCC And Aon Celebrate New Apprenticeship Collaboration

Press release from the Montgomery County Community College:

Diane VanDyke

October 14, 2021

Montgomery County Community College and professional services firm Aon plc (NYSE: AON) are celebrating a new apprenticeship collaboration that will help students
get an advanced start on developing their careers while earning their associate degrees.

“Professional apprenticeships like this model provide an opportunity for students
to establish careers that provide family-sustaining wages, creating an inclusive economic
recovery for our communities, while providing employers with the talented, skilled
workforce needed to be competitive in the global market,” said Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez,
MCCC President. “We are delighted to celebrate this valuable relationship with Aon.”

Aon’s U.S. Apprenticeship Program in the Greater Philadelphia region is a two-year
program that combines on-the-job learning experience at Aon with in-school classroom
learning at MCCC. As an “earn-while-you-learn” model, Aon pays apprentices a salary
and benefits, and covers tuition, books and fees as apprentices pursue their associate
degrees. Aon launched its U.S. apprenticeship program at its Chicago office in 2017
with an initial cohort of 26 apprentices.

Aon has since expanded the program to Philadelphia, as well as Houston, Minneapolis,
New York, Northern California and Washington, D.C. For the Philadelphia program, Aon
apprentices work at one of Aon’s regional offices located in Philadelphia, Radnor
and Ft. Washington, while attending classes.    

“We’ve grown Aon’s program from 26 to more than 100 in the most recent cohort,” said
Meghan Parilla, Vice President of Global Early Careers – Apprenticeships at Aon. “That
growth wouldn’t be possible were it not for the apprentices themselves. They are exceptional
employees and colleagues.”

Upon successful completion of the two-year program, graduates will earn their associate
degrees from MCCC, receive a U.S. Department of Labor certification and obtain an
offer for a full-time, permanent position at Aon. Students must maintain good academic
standing and meet all Aon performance standards at work for completion.

“Talent is equally distributed among Greater Philadelphia’s workforce,” said Marc
Armstrong, Managing Principal at Aon. “But opportunity, college degrees, access to
corporate careers – these are not equally distributed. Apprenticeships allow us to
tap into the full breadth of talent and ability present here in Philadelphia and lower
barriers to family-sustaining careers. MCCC has been crucial to the effort in helping
to expand the program here. I hope to see more local employers adopting this model.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. job market is facing a
severe skills gap in which employers have plenty of job openings but workers are lacking
the skills needed to fill those jobs. Aon’s U.S. Apprenticeship Program makes it possible
for students to learn on the job to attain those skills while earning their college
degrees.

"By removing financial barriers and providing full access to career training, support
and employment, the relationship with Aon proves why MCCC is also a critical workforce
and economic partner," said Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr., Vice Chair of the Montgomery
County Board of Commissioners. "I am proud of the innovative ways that MCCC continues to build a pipeline of skilled
talent that serves our local economy."

MCCC’s collaboration with Aon will help to strengthen the workforce in the region.

“Knowing that Aon has a proven track record for developing apprenticeship models themselves
while also serving as an apprenticeship outreach ambassador, MontcoWorks wholeheartedly
supports this collaboration with Montgomery County Community College,” said Jennifer
Butler, Executive Director of MontcoWorks. “The College has proven to be an integral part of our workforce system here in Montgomery
County and has risen to the challenges presented to all of us by COVID-19. I am proud
to be part of this program and commit to support its development as we all move forward
to a vibrant and equitable recovery here in Montgomery County.”

MCCC’s first cohort of eight students began employment at Aon in August and started
classes at MCCC this fall toward their Associate in Science degree in Liberal Studies.
Apprentices dedicate a combined 40 hours per week working at Aon and attending classes.

Norristown native Khalil Bullock spent five years in retail, growing from a sales
styles to a talent manager – and leverages his talent management skills in his Aon
apprenticeship role in HR. Even a few months in, he said, “The impact has been monumental.
The entire experience is centered in community and growth.”

In addition to their classroom work and learning skills for their role, students participate
in professional development through Aon’s U.S. Apprenticeship program to enable them
to thrive in and acclimate to a corporate environment.

Find more information about Aon’s U.S. Apprenticeship Program here. Employers interested in launching similar programs can review the apprenticeship
playbook or email Apprenticeship@Aon.com.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the
lives of people around the world. Our colleagues provide our clients in over 120 countries
with advice and solutions that give them the clarity and confidence to make better
decisions to protect and grow their business. 

Follow Aon on Twitter and LinkedIn. Stay up-to-date by visiting the Aon Newsroom and sign up for News Alerts here.

This press release was produced by the Montgomery County Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.