CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced more than $20 million in capital grants to establish five new Manufacturing Training Academies (MTAs) at community colleges across downstate Illinois. The academies will prepare Illinoisans for good-paying careers in advanced manufacturing while helping employers find the skilled workers they need to grow and create jobs.
The awards will support new and expanded training facilities at Illinois community colleges, including Illinois Central College, Kaskaskia College, Lake Land College, Lewis and Clark Community College, and Parkland College. Programs will focus on high-demand fields, including automation, robotics, industrial maintenance, machining, metal fabrication, and biomanufacturing.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
“Manufacturing has powered Illinois communities for generations — and we are making sure Illinois workers lead the next era of this industry,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These five new training academies will give more Illinoisans the opportunity to learn in-demand skills, earn a good living, and build a career close to home. At the same time, we are giving manufacturers another reason to invest, expand, and create jobs right here in Illinois.”
“Investing in manufacturing education opens pathways to pursue new career possibilities, train for the newest technology, and discover the latest and greatest innovation right here at home,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Illinoisans will continue to be at the forefront of production with the resources to thrive.”
Five New Academies Across Downstate Illinois
Grantee, Location, Award Amount, Focus Areas:
Illinois Central College
- East Peoria
- $3,000,000
- Industrial Electrical, Industrial Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Kaskaskia College
- Centralia
- $6,000,000
- Automation, CNC Machining, Industrial Maintenance, Logistics, Robotics
Lake Land College
- Mattoon
- $3,000,000
- Automation, Robotics
Lewis & Clark College
- Godfrey
- $2,369,150
- Automation, Industrial Maintenance Systems, Process Control, Robotics
Parkland College
- Champaign
- $6,000,000
- Biomanufacturing, Metal Fabrication
The grants will fund construction, facility improvements, and modern equipment needed to prepare students for increasingly technical manufacturing careers. The academies will also work with regional employers to align training with local workforce needs and connect graduates with available jobs.
“Increasing the number of manufacturing training academies throughout downstate Illinois is essential as we build upon our state’s storied legacy as a manufacturing powerhouse,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “With five new MTAs supported through grant funding, Illinois is strengthening our manufacturing talent pipelines while promoting access to good-paying technical careers.”
Expanding a Proven Training Model
Illinois launched the Manufacturing Training Academy (MTA) initiative through its 2019 Economic Growth Plan. Previous State investments have supported new academies at Heartland Community College in Normal and Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, along with clean energy manufacturing programs at Richland Community College in Decatur and Kankakee Community College in Kankakee.
Heartland Community College opened its first-of-its-kind Electric Vehicle Energy Storage Manufacturing Training Academy in 2024 in partnership with automotive manufacturer Rivian, with programs focused on robotics, HVAC, welding, digital media, and electric vehicles.
That same year, Southwestern Illinois College opened its doors to a 33,000-square-foot manufacturing education hub, which included expanding its offerings by launching additive manufacturing, tool and die mold-making, and advanced automation/multi-axis computer numerical control certificates.
“Community colleges are uniquely positioned to connect students with the skills employers need and the careers that can change lives,” said Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Executive Director Brian Durham. “These Manufacturing Training Academies will give more Illinoisans access to state-of-the-art training close to home while helping manufacturers build the skilled workforce they need to grow and compete.”
Building the Workforce Illinois Needs
The Manufacturing Training Academy awards are part of Illinois’ broader strategy to build a skilled workforce that opens doors for working people and gives businesses the confidence to invest and grow. The awards advance Illinois' Economic Growth Plan, which identifies advanced manufacturing as a priority industry and calls for training aligned with regional employer needs.
To meet our future demands, Governor Pritzker also recently signed an executive order establishing the State Attainment Working Group to align education and training with the state’s future workforce needs. With more than 70% of jobs projected to require education or training beyond high school by 2031, the group is developing a statewide goal for degrees and credentials that lead to good-paying careers and meet regional employer demand through 2040.
Together, these efforts strengthen both sides of Illinois economy – businesses gain access to the talent they need while workers gain access to the careers created by new investment. That strategy is helping a growing list of manufacturers to expand or establish their business in Illinois, including Ability Engineering Technology, Combe, Hyundai Translead, and more.
“Building a skilled workforce of the future is essential for manufacturers to succeed and for Illinois’ economy to grow. With an estimated 3.8 million more manufacturing workers needed nationwide by 2033, Illinois is tackling this challenge head on with the creation of best-in-class Manufacturing Academies,” said Mark Denzler, president & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We’re proud to partner with the Governor and General Assembly to make these academies a reality and advance other important workforce development initiatives including apprenticeship tax credits, dual credit programs, and a new law that expands access to hands-on-learning opportunities by allowing students to choose Career & Technical Education classes in lieu of foreign language requirement.”
“Guided by Illinois' Economic Growth Plan, the State is investing in the future of the next generation through Manufacturing Training Academies,” said Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria). “I'm thrilled that Illinois Central College will be part of this initiative to expand access to training and strengthen the manufacturing workforce in our community.”
“Students at Illinois Central College will have greater opportunities to succeed in technical manufacturing careers thanks to the State's investments in this new Manufacturing Training Academy,” said Leader David Koehler (D-Peoria). “With a focus on industrial electric and maintenance along with manufacturing engineering technology, students training in these high-demand fields will be great assets to our world-class workforce.”
“Illinois’ workforce is the backbone of our state’s economy and investing in the next generation of leaders is essential to building upon our momentum as a national leader in the manufacturing industry,” said Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign). “I’m thrilled to know that students at Parkland will have even more opportunities to grow, learn, and be equipped with the skills needed to excel and establish a career in manufacturing.”
“This investment in Lewis and Clark Community College’s new Manufacturing Training Academy is a not only a win for Madison County, but a win for our state,” said Leader Amy Elik (R-Alton). “I am proud to be part of this critical initiative that is strengthening Illinois’ workforce and preparing the next generation of manufacturers.”
