$5M federal grant expected to 'transform' Lincoln Land's workforce training programs

A $5 million federal grant will allow Lincoln Land Community College to positively impact the economy locally by increasing the pipeline of trained workers in critical fields such as emergency medical services, truck driving training, diesel technologies and agriculture.

On the heels of Tuesday's announcement by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, LLCC officials were ready to explain how the grant might be used around the campus.

"The grant will transform several workforce training programs and address local worker shortages," promised LLCC President Charlotte Warren.

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In part, the funds will be used to help renovate the east wing of Logan Hall for an expanded emergency services training facility, purchase a working ambulance and state-of-the-art equipment and simulators and allow more than 400 students to enroll each year in EMT, advanced EMT and paramedic training programs.

A lab in the Workforce Careers Center, the backdrop for Wednesday's press conference, will also undergo renovation, Warren said, to house and equip the college's new diesel technologies program.

The first class will admit 20 students next fall for the two-year program, adding cohorts after that.

An additional 90 students will be admitted to LLCC's truck driver training program, which has a four-month waiting list.

The impact will be far-reaching, said Ryan McCrady, the president and CEO of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, who was on hand for Wednesday's announcement.

"Investments like this are essential," McCrady acknowledged. "We will take this announcement and we will market it across the globe. It's that big of a deal for our community."

LLCC also planned to build a large storage facility adjacent to its truck driver training lot to house heavy equipment for agriculture and diesel technologies programs, along with the new ambulance for emergency services.

"All of these enhancements are designed to impact our local economy by providing more trained workers to fill the needs of employers and more job opportunities for our students to earn good wages and stay in, live in and contribute to our communities," Warren said.

Trucking and logistics are among the fastest growing industries, said Don Schaefer, executive vice president of the Mid-West Truckers Association, with a dire need for employees locally and nationally.

"That's where Lincoln Land's program is so vitally important," Schaefer said.

Diesel mechanics and truck drivers, he said, can easily start out at $50,000 to $60,000 annually depending on training and licensing.

"The better the training, the more your potential earning is," he said.

Dan Smith, vice president of product support for Roland Machinery Co., which is headquartered in Springfield, said last week there were 427 open positions within 100 miles of Springfield for diesel technicians.

"These are high-wage positions that can also lead to career advancement in parts and service management," Smith said.

Christopher McDowell, chair of emergency medicine a SIU School of Medicine, said expanding LLCC's emergency services program "is critical in increasing the supply of EMS providers (to serve the community.)"

Expansion of programs at LLCC could be a boon to the Capital Area Careers Center.

Director Jodi Ferriell said Wednesday while CACC hasn't had any formal conversations with college officials yet, "it could definitely open up some opportunities for high school students in dual credit. We'll definitely be talking with them about how we can partner."

CACC, 2201 Toronto Road, provides career exploration and training to more than 850 high school juniors and seniors in 22 programs. It serves students from 21 high schools in the area, including Springfield District 186.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Lincoln Land Community College gets $5M grant to train workers