IVCC has a new high technology lab courtesy of a grant from the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs awarded to the Illinois Valley Area chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.
Located in A-209, the lab is equipped with 22 student workstations, an instructor workstation, a network server, laser printers, and smart classroom equipment. Eighteen career-training modules help students learn about career fields, such as robotics, hydraulics, computer aided design, computer networking, web page design and graphics.
“The $170,325 grant funded construction of the lab and is intended to promote two high school occupational training programs - manufacturing and information technology - that are supported by the Education-to-Careers Partnership,” said ETC coordinator Alexa Doll, who submitted the grant application.
As part of the grant proposal, IVCC agreed to house the lab as an “in-kind” contribution. When area high school students are not utilizing the lab as they explore school-to-work careers, IVCC classes are taught inthe lab.
Doll, who will bring in high school students and teachers for “investigative” training, will utilize the lab from 8 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The remainder of the time the lab can be used to expand IVCC course offerings, particularly in the networking curriculum.
“Tomorrow’s workforce depends upon today’s student and I believe this high tech lab is just one way Education-to-Careers is tackling the critical skilled worker shortage,” said Doll. “People will be awed by the high technology equipment and its capabilities.”