Hair dryers hum, engines rev, and the scent of fresh-baked bread drifts through the halls of the Technology Center of Dupage (TCD). For West Chicago students, this is what class looks like — a place where learning happens through doing.
The center offers more than 20 programs, including culinary arts, criminal justice, fire science, welding, cosmetology and automotive technology — giving students a chance to test their interests before committing to a career path.
Upperclassmen at West Chicago Community High School can attend TCD in Addison, where hands-on programs help them explore careers, gain technical skills and earn professional certifications before graduation. Students attend TCD for part of the school day, spending several hours in specialized labs four days a week. Each session focuses on a different set of skills — from safety procedures and tool use to more advanced repairs or styling techniques — depending on the program.
Students at West Chicago are already entrepreneurs — running businesses as nail techs, barbers, car detailers, and more. Through TCD, they can refine those skills, earn credentials at an affordable cost, and apply what they learn to their own ventures.
“It’s teaching me more things, and because I want to be a barber, it’s helping me expand the services I can offer,” Israel Milazzo, a first-year cosmetology student, said.
Additionally, TCD supports students who may not plan to attend college — or who are still figuring out their next step — by letting them test out career paths in a supportive setting. Some arrive knowing exactly what they want to pursue, while others use the experience to explore their options. Many find that the program helps them make informed decisions about their futures while gaining industry-recognized credentials.
Senior Alvaro Alvarez, now in his second year of TCD’s automotive technology program, said the experience has helped him focus his goals.
“It’s really made me think about what I want to do after school,” he said. “Before TCD, I didn’t even know how to do drum brakes, and now I can do them myself. It’s taught me a lot about maintenance and being more hands-on.”
Having TCD as an option gives students a head start after graduation. Completing a program can lead to certifications, job opportunities, and confidence in their abilities.
“My program has benefited me outside of school by teaching me mechanical things — like oil changes, rotating tires, and checking air pressure,” Cesar Lopez, a first-year automotive technology student, said. “It’s helped me want to pursue a career in auto tech and even think about opening my own shop someday.”
Beyond technical skills, many students say TCD builds independence and problem-solving. “You learn to figure things out yourself,” Lopez said. “If something doesn’t go right, you troubleshoot until it does.”
There are currently 121 WCCHS students enrolled at TCD. Interested students can contact their counselor for enrollment information or visit the TCD website to explore available programs.
For many students, the lessons learned at TCD go beyond tools and textbooks, shaping their confidence and their sense of what is possible after high school.
