Kunes Car Convo: Driving the Future with Galesburg Area Vocational Center

In this episode of Kunes Car Convos, Pete Schultz, General Manager at Kunes Toyota of Galesburg, hit the road in the all-new 2025 Toyota RAV4 Limited with a very special guest—Adam Seany, from Galesburg Area Vocational Center (GAVC).

 

The RAV4 might be the number-one selling vehicle in America, but today’s real spotlight was on how GAVC is preparing high school students across Knox, Warren, and Henderson counties for successful futures in career and technical education (CTE).

Adam explained that GAVC is the career and technical education hub for nine area high schools, plus homeschool students from the region. Juniors and seniors can enroll in programs ranging from automotive and manufacturing to culinary arts, healthcare, law enforcement, firefighting, and more.

 

“No matter if a student is headed for college, trade school, the military, or straight into the workforce, the skills they gain here will benefit them,” Adam said.

Adam’s mission is simple: give students as much opportunity and real-world experience as possible so they can make informed choices about their futures. With support from local schools, businesses, and community partners, GAVC continues to be a leader in workforce development across Illinois.

 

The results speak for themselves: enrollment has jumped from around 350 students to more than 425 in recent years, thanks to dynamic instructors and a hands-on learning environment that excites students.

During the tour, Pete and Adam highlighted several standout programs:

 

• Automotive Shop – Students perform real maintenance tasks and even get the chance to work on their own cars. A big highlight? Building a Factory Five Cobra replica kit car from the ground up.
• Manufacturing & Electrical Trades – With the support of Pegasus Manufacturing, students gain access to CNC machines, registered apprenticeships, and real-world electrical wiring experience.
• Healthcare & CNA Program – A rigorous semester program where students gain clinical experience, with a near-perfect pass rate on state exams.
• Culinary Arts – A fully equipped commercial kitchen where students go from learning knife skills to hosting a cupcake contest.
• Public Safety – Firefighting and law enforcement programs give students immersive training experiences that prepare them for future academies.

GAVC doesn’t just focus on technical skills—it also emphasizes employability skills like communication, teamwork, resume writing, and interview preparation. Adam even invites former students, now working in the industry, to return as guest speakers to inspire the next generation.

 

“When students see a graduate they know come back, successful in their career, it really clicks—‘I can do this too,’” Adam shared.

Like many educational institutions, GAVC faces challenges with funding and keeping up with rapidly changing technology. But Adam and his team are tackling this head-on by building strong partnerships with local businesses, securing grants, and staying responsive to industry needs.

 

Looking ahead, GAVC is considering program expansions in welding and cosmetology due to high student interest.

For parents and students unsure of what path to take, Adam’s advice is simple: “It’s okay not to know. GAVC is a low-risk way to explore career options and confirm what you want—or don’t want—to do.”

 

Whether it’s turning a passion into a career or discovering a new interest, GAVC gives students the tools and confidence to step into the future prepared.

Pete summed it up best:

 

“Anyone coming out of GAVC is light years ahead of students who don’t have these opportunities. Adam, you and your team are doing an incredible job preparing our future workforce.”

 

We couldn’t agree more. Thank you, Adam Seany, and everyone at GAVC, for investing in the success of local students and our community.

 

Be sure to tune in next time for another Kunes Car Convo—where we put the spotlight on the people driving positive change in our communities.