Maintenance Apprentice (Illinois)

Company Description

• Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist that develops and produces sustainable, safe and convenient solutions for automotive manufacturers as well as industrial and end customers worldwide. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 78,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

Job Description

Are you ready for your future in Automation?

• Become a part of the Continental Mt. Vernon Maintenance/Engineering Team as an Industrial Electronics Maintenance Apprentice. You will earn while you learn, and upon completion of Continental's apprenticeship program, you will receive an Associate Degree along with a Department of Labor Certification.

What is a Maintenance Apprentice?

• The Maintenance Apprenticeship program is a 3-year "earn while you learn program". It is benchmarked on the German dual education system (combination of company-specific knowledge, theory, and hands-on learning). The program is established and supported by the German American Chamber of Commerce.

How does the Maintenance Apprenticeship program work?

• The 3-year Maintenance Apprenticeship Program alternates between work and college (2 days college classwork / 3 days on hands training per week), combining practical skills and theory. You earn wages while at work, and we cover the cost of college tuition and fees! You finish the program with an Associate Degree, a Department of Labor Certification (national certification). The knowledge you learn in college you will expand with hands on training with state-of-the-art equipment in the Continental plant. You will have a mentor that will guide you through the whole program and help you be successful. - more info here:

What is an Industrial Electronics Technician and what are the daily duties?

• Industrial Electronics Technicians install, program, maintain, and repair electrical operation, production equipment and processing systems. This will include switchgear and control systems (IPC, PLC) to power supply systems and communications and lighting equipment.

• As an Industrial Electronics Technician you will be part of our Maintenance/Engineering Team ensuring the production equipment is working properly. Industrial Electronics Technicians install, set-up and troubleshoot electrical systems. These can be systems for communication, power supply and lighting technology or switching and control systems. Industrial Electronics Technicians create the designs for the new operating equipment, plan and supervise the installation, wire the equipment, and program the system. The focus in the Continental plant will be on troubleshooting and maintaining equipment.

Qualifications

- High school diploma or GED

- Meet academic requirements for admission (pass college placement test)

- Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment Visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.

- Continental is not able to pay relocation expenses for this opportunity.

Environment

• Safety is our highest priority and safety procedures/ guidelines must be always adhered to. This includes safety wear such as hearing protection and steel toe shoes.
• The job is within a non-climate controlled environment where you will be exposed to temperature swings (hot/cold), dust, forklift and pedestrian traffic, and noise.
• The role involves various physical tasks, including lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, fine motor skills and operating machinery, with comprehensive training provided.

Additional Information

THE PERKS

• Immediate Benefits
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Discounts, including tire discounts
• Employer 401k Match
• Diverse & Inclusive Work Environment with 20+ Employee Resource groups.
• Employee Assistance Program

HOURLY PAY

• The starting hourly wage for this position is established at $22.22 for the first year. In the second year, the wage will increase by an additional two dollars, followed by another two-dollar increase in the third year. This role is classified as part-time. Outside of school, it may require up to 40 hours.

EEO-Statement:

EEO / AA / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to View email address on click.appcast.io or contact US Recruiting at View phone number on click.appcast.io. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back.

EEO-Statement:

EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to View email address on click.appcast.io or contact US Recruiting at View phone number on click.appcast.io. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back.

Ready to drive with Continental? Take the first step and fill in the online application.