Springfield college awarded over $90k for CTE VR training
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A community college in Central Illinois is getting a slice of $766,000 from the Illinois Community College Board to help implement virtual reality into its Career and Technical Education programs.
Grants were spread across 12 community colleges within the state. The funding will allow the colleges to buy VR equipment and provide hands-on learning in various workforce training programs, including healthcare, criminal justice, manufacturing, and HVAC. The money can also be used to start new CTE programs involving VR technology.
Applications open for $1,000 Central IL communications scholarship
Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield is among the dozen grant recipients. They were awarded almost $91,700 to go towards Microsoft, Apple, and zSpace VR platforms. This will aid student training in healthcare, trades, the arts, and communications.
“The Illinois Community College System is constantly looking to stay at the forefront of workforce development. This funding will not only help recruit students who want access to the latest technology but also provide new cutting-edge training opportunities to better position them for success in their chosen career fields,” ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham said.
Here is the full list of community colleges receiving a CTE VR grant:
College | Award | VR Platform | Curricular Area |
Lincoln Land Community College | $91,688 | Microsoft, Apple & zSpace | Health Professions, Workforce Institute and Arts and Communications |
Truman College | $49,550 | Transfr | Recruitment & Automotive Technology, Career Exploration |
Illinois Central College | $54,060 | SimX | EMT & Paramedic |
Heartland Community College | $73,000 | Not specified | Nursing & Welding |
John A. Logan College | $49,840 | MILO Range Theater | Criminal Justice & Recruitment |
Spoon River College | $23,481 | Kuula VR Tour | Recruitment & CTE generally |
College of DuPage | $52,205 | Lincoln Electric | Welding |
Elgin Community College | $94,000 | Transfr | Recruitment & multiple CTE programs |
Moraine Valley Community College | $38,098 | Interplay Learning | HVAC |
Rend Lake College | $50,645 | Transfr & zSpace | Recruitment |
Carl Sandburg College | $89,509 | Lincoln Electric | Welding & Recruitment |
Oakton College | $100,000 | I SEE YOU 360 | Criminal Justice (Drone piloting) |
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