Published on September 14, 2026 3:19 pm
Last Updated on September 14, 2026 3:19 pm
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. Lake Land College is one of those colleges. 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. 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.
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.”
