Business and College Collaboration
Illinois’s community colleges are the largest provider of public workforce training in the state. We work together with Illinois businesses to build career pathways, close skills gaps, and grow our state’s economy. These partnerships prove that when education and industry alignment, everyone benefits.
Parkland College and AGCO Corporation
AGCO Corporation, a global leader in agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, has partnered with Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois on the expansion of its technician training program. Following a $5 million gift from AGCO to the Parkland College Foundation, Parkland opened the new AGCO Training Center on campus in November 2024 that will house this new specialized program. The cooperative two-year, student-technician-education program is designed to help meet the demand for skilled technicians who can service AGCO’s popular Fendt® and Massey Ferguson® brands of agricultural equipment. Local AGCO dealers will work in partnership with Parkland College to conduct training activities at the new facility and at dealerships. Students in the program, sponsored by AGCO dealers, take advantage of a work-based learning model that rotates between classwork and fieldwork. Learn more
Oakton College with Endeavor Health℠
Oakton and Endeavor Health℠ have partnered to create accessible pathways to quality education and in-demand employment opportunities in healthcare. Oakton College’s new Health Careers Education Center on Endeavor Health Evanston Hospital’s campus marks Oakton’s first physical presence in Evanston, the largest community in the college’s district.
Oakton and Endeavor Health split the cost of the renovation and collaborated to identify clinical rotation and job placement opportunities within the Endeavor Health system aligned with the programs. Endeavor Health leaders and team members serve as clinical instructors during the clinical rotations. Additionally, each organization’s charitable foundation is working to secure private funding to support student scholarships, additional equipment costs, and other program initiatives. Learn more.
Southeastern Illinois College and Polaris Industries
Polaris Industries has partnered with Southeastern Illinois College (SIC) to support workforce training in the growing powersports industry. Through the Polaris Technical School Partnership Program, SIC’s PowerSports Technology program provides students with hands-on training in the maintenance and repair of ATVs, UTVs, and other recreational vehicles.
As part of this partnership, Polaris has awarded $20,000 in scholarship funding to SIC students, helping reduce financial barriers and support student success in the program. Students also have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications through Polaris University, preparing them for employment with dealerships and service providers.
SIC’s one-year PowerSports Technology certificate program is designed to meet regional workforce needs by training skilled technicians in a high-demand field. The program emphasizes practical, hands-on learning with current equipment and is guided by input from local and regional industry partners to ensure students are gaining relevant, job-ready skills.
Through this collaboration, SIC is helping connect students to career pathways while supporting the workforce needs of the powersports industry.
