Education and Training Programs

Quality Education Making a Difference!

Worker Training in Illinois
Illinois has the ability to revitalize the economy through its' resources. Illinois bachelor degree attainment rate is significantly higher than nearby states of Michigan, Indiana, and Iowa at 36.2% (MI-30.6%, IN-27.8%, and IA-29.7%). Illinois is fortunate to have many outstanding higher education opportunities.

Latest Illinois Economic Report

North Central Illinois workers
North Central Illinois businesses benefit from a skilled and dependable workforce, recognized for a strong Midwestern work ethic. Illinois workers are among the most productive in the world. More than 89% have obtained a high school degree or higher. Much of this leadership can be attributed to Illinois' long-standing commitment to helping prepare its workforce in the skills needed for jobs with a future. A variety of Illinois programs are geared toward meeting the specific and unique needs of Illinois employers, as well as individuals.  The region is served by streamlined, cost-effective programs to help Illinois workers keep their skills constant with changing technologies and business processes. Businesses benefit through increased productivity, reduced costs, improved quality and competitiveness.

Business Training Center at IVCC
The Illinois Valley Community College Business Training Center provides training and services to businesses, and cooperations along with other local economic development entities to help attract and retain commerce and industry. These centers provide a wide variety of job training and economic development activities, including customized job training for businesses, entrepreneurship training, and job training for unemployed individuals. Local schools, regional vocational centers, community colleges and universities also offer a wide array of vocational and technical training programs to assist Illinois workers in obtaining the skills they need for businesses grow and prosper. For more information call (815) 224-0645.

Training Programs to Assist Major Employers
New and existing employers in North Central Illinois have tremendous opportunities for low-cost industrial training programs. Depending on training requirements and employer needs, some programs may be available at no cost to the employer. The Economic Development Corporation of North Central Illinois works closely with employers to take advantage of the cost-effective, employee-training programs that best suit each business' needs. Programs can be customized to each business.

ISO Certificate, TransWorld, Illinois Valley Community College 

Industrial Maintenance Certificate
The Industrial Maintenance Certificate can be earned through a combination of classroom learning and hands on learning with the latest classroom and industrial technology. The students work in the classroom with highly qualified instructors, who have many years of experience bringing current field experience to the classroom. 

Manufacturing Technology Associate in Applied Science
The Manufacturing Technology Associate can be earned through a combination of lecture/lab settings that will prepare students for work. This is the bridge between manufacturing and engineering. Graduates use a combination of theory and “hands on” approaches to complete tasks, as needed by manufactures, to improve quality and productivity. Instructors work closely with local industry and evaluate national trends. A student can either earn a certificate and AAS non-transfer degree or transfer to a four-year university. IVCC offers a state of the facility with modern equipment. Instructors have multiple years of industry and academic experience.

Higher Education
"Northwest IL Community College Partnership – For the Best Workforce”
The Northwest Illinois Community College Partnership represents the most robust and skilled workforce in North America. Illinois’ unmatched productivity is well documented, and demonstrated by companies which continue to invest in Illinois, citing the state’s workforce strengths: Click here to read more...

More than 25 technical schools, colleges and universities in the region.
The North Central Illinois region offers premier educational opportunities, with exemplary public schools and access to various higher education opportunities ranging from state-of-the-art technical programs to more than 25 colleges and universities. Nearby Naperville, IL ranked #1 in 2023 for Cities with the best public schools. According to “Cities Rated and Ranked," metro Chicago is ranked number two out of all United States cities based on education system and opportunities. The University of Chicago ranked among the top twenty universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2024.

School District Websites
Click on the links provided below for more information on area school districts.

North Central Illinois Public High Schools
The below graph shows education facts on North Central Illinois public high schools.

School District Report Cards     State of Illinois Board of Education

Colleges and Universities
Click on the provided links below for more information about colleges and universities that serve the North Central Illinois area. 

 Education