Lake Land College partners with area organizations to enhance career readiness for booming manufacturing sector
“M
ade in America” is making a comeback, especially throughout east central Illinois and to help foster the growing sector’s strength in the region, Lake Land College is partnering with local school districts, industry leaders and community organizations. “We’re facing a turning point in the manufacturing sector throughout the region,” said Jim Hull, vice president for academic services at Lake Land. “We need to work together to ensure that the employee pool has the necessary skills to assume the positions that come open as manufacturing continues to regain strength in our area.” Recently, the college partnered with North American Lighting (NAL) in Paris, Ill., to offer an eight-week Fast Track Tech program that placed graduates of the program into entry-level technician positions at NAL. All 15 students in the cohort completed their requirements with excellent grades and were then hired by NAL.
“The venture with NAL was successful, but in meeting with other industry leaders, we’re expanding our partnerships to incorporate high schools to start training students earlier,” said Hull. To that end, the college has been working with area high schools in order to increase vocational education opportunities for students. For instance by partnering with Lake Land, both Marshall and Effingham high schools will use Amatrol Training Modules in dual credit courses beginning in the fall of 2014, which will offer students advanced manufacturing skills training that is needed to excel in manufacturing careers. The college is also partnering with Altamont High School in order to bring advanced manufacturing technologies into the high school setting. “The partnership with Lake Land utilizing the Amatrol Training Modules will enrich our current high school program and provide certificated programming for our juniors and seniors who choose
to participate in this type of program,” said Jeff Fritchtnitch, superintendent of the Altamont Community Unit School District. “It is exciting to be a part of a prototype program knowing that there are significant benefits for students who typically have to go find this type of training after high school.” According to Mark Doan, superintendent of Effingham Community Unit School District, Effingham High School is undergoing curriculum changes for its dual credit vocational classes so that students are prepared to either enter the workforce upon high school graduation or continue to pursue a degree in the manufacturing industry. “We’re looking to expand dual credit vocational training,” explained Doan. “Having this experience early in one’s educational career gives students an edge when looking for work after graduation or if they move on to studying the manufacturing sector in college.”
For more information about specialized training or partnering with Lake Land College, contact the Office of Academic Services at (217) 234-5220.
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FULL circle • Summer 2014
Friday, April 11 from 2 – 4 p.m. Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. until noon At Lake Land College’s West Building