Gov. Rauner cites role of community colleges in preparing state's workforce
Visiting the College of Lake County to "listen and learn" more about what community colleges are doing, Gov. Bruce Rauner praised the important work of community colleges in supplying a skilled workforce for Illinois.
Rauner said that for students who don't want to pursue a university degree, he wants "to see vocational training in the high school curriculum so students can get started in high schools and then go on to great colleges like this one."
Rauner stopped at CLC during a visit to Lake County on April 7, where he was welcomed by CLC President Dr. Jerry Weber and Trustees Amanda Howland and Lynda Paul and Student Trustee Annabella Tidei. At CLC, he spoke with students and faculty about the college's partnerships with high schools and universities to ensure a smooth progression between educational levels.
Also attending the event was Dr. Lázaro López, acting chair of the Illinois Community College Board.
The college offers dual-credit programs that allow students to earn college credits while still in high school, and it has several partnerships with universities, including the Engineering Pathways program that guarantees qualifying students acceptance into the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, one of the nation's top engineering programs.
Rauner watched CLC engineering transfer students use a 3-D printer to produce parts they designed, and laser, photonics and optics students using lasers to create a personalized business card holder.
He also saw mechatronics students learning to troubleshoot electrical and robotics equipment and faculty demonstrating computerized numerical controls equipment used in many manufacturing settings.
"One of the reasons I ran for governor is that I wanted world-class education throughout the state of Illinois and, at its core, world class is community colleges," Rauner said. "You are a linchpin in the quality of our education and training."
Rauner said that because of the importance of community colleges, his budget protected funding for community colleges, despite the state's current fiscal woes.
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