There is a variety of specialized education and training programs available locally to develop and enhance the workforce in the region, including those required by the manufacturing industry. Many of these can be customized to meet the specific needs of businesses locating or expanding in the area.
Richland Community College is one of 21 community colleges in the state working to pair skilled and experienced workers with existing and open positions in the field of manufacturing. Their program offers certificate and associate degree programs in:
- Precision Machining
- Metal Fabrication
- Mechatronics
- Green Renewable Energy
They also offer Articulated 2+2 Degree Programs in areas such as Supply Chain Management, in partnership with Western Illinois University.
Vocational schools, community colleges, and 4-year universities are also found regionally, within a 1-hour drive.
Vocational
- Capital Area School Nursing
- Decatur Adult Ed Program
- Heartland Technical Institute
- Midwest Technical Institute
Community College
- Heartland Community College
- Lake Land College
- Lincoln Land Community College
- Parkland College
- Richland Community College
4-Year University
- Eastern Illinois University
- Illinois State University
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- Lincoln Christian College and Seminary
- Lincoln College
- Lincoln College at Normal
- Millikin University
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
- St. John’s College
- University of Illinois-Springfield
- University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
- Urbana Theological Seminary
