The Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) is offering students the opportunity to expand their knowledge through different career pathways.

Located in Addison, TCD is a 25-minute drive from NC. TCD has been offering services to students since 1974 and represents 14 member school districts and 24 high schools, including LT. TCD is focused on Career and Technical Education (CTE) and specialized training, providing students with academic, technical, and employability skills for high-wage, high-demand careers. 

“[TCD] is really to help those students who want to spearhead their career preparation, and to give them that experience,” College and Career counselor Cody Dailey said. 

The vocational school is in partnership with the College of DuPage (CoD), a community college based in nearby Glen Ellyn. Students can earn up to 50 hours of college credit for certain technical education courses at no cost, which helps students reduce future college costs, get a head start on their education, and gain industry-specific skills. TCD classes take up four periods, and many students don’t arrive back at LT until fifth period. TCD offers 17 CTE programs, including automotive technology, cosmetology, fire science, welding, professional cooking, criminal justice, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training. 

“Students choose TCD for several reasons. Mostly because it allows them to learn a career pathway completely hands-on and [learn] from industry professionals,” freshman counselor and former TCD employee Lauren Beran said. 

TCD’s programs are extremely helpful for career development and industry certifications, Beran said. TCD features a 250,000 square-foot facility that mimics modern workplace environments, allowing students to gain practical experience that translates directly into passing certification exams. 

Additionally, the classes are designed and facilitated by industry professionals to give students first-hand knowledge of their chosen pathway, Beran said. For example, the First Science and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program is taught by retired lieutenants from fire departments and paramedic units. The nursing program is also taught by Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) who support the students through the program and provide them required clinical hours with patients. 

All courses are hands-on and interactive, and the classes mimic those of CoD. Each TCD instructor has an Illinois teaching certificate and must have at least 2,000 hours of workplace experience in their field.

TCD is generally free to all students, with the exception of cosmetology. However, the cosmetology program is much less expensive than related programs in the area. There is also a $100 participation fee applied. 

“I hope that students start viewing TCD as gaining a competitive edge [in] career industries,” Beran said. “There are students who attend TCD [who] do enroll in four-year universities or the military and are advanced with industry knowledge.” 

Students may enroll for junior year, senior year, or both. The classes are typically offered five days a week in a morning or afternoon session at the Addison campus. Interested individuals and groups may tour TCD during school hours by contacting the Community Relations Coordinator. Additionally, TCD hosts a Community Open House through which students and family members may visit any or all programs and talk with staff members. LT also hosts a field trip annually to the campus. 

“One thing I would tell the younger [LT] students [is] if you do well early on in high school, that will allow you to have more opportunities to do TCD,” Dailey said.