Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Creating pathways and breaking down barriers to spark interest in career and technical education was the focus of Monday’s workforce summit at Lincoln Land Community College, hosted by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski. Joe McGinnis, director of the Collinsville Area Vocational Center, emphasized the significant return on investment CTE offers. For every dollar invested, he said, there’s a $12 to $22 return through increased employment and reduced reliance on government services.

The summit highlighted the importance of updating school curriculums to accommodate trades classes. Sarah Hartwick, vice president of education and workforce policy for the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, noted that while students are interested in CTE and employers need skilled workers, current curriculum often lacks room for CTE programs. She pointed to a positive move that will allow students to substitute foreign language credits for CTE coursework.

District 186 School Board President Micah Miller shared how Lanphier High School created a 2,000-sq. ft. workshop, funded by a local 1% tax, to provide hands-on learning. Miller said the new workshop has sparked student interest, leading to an increase in enrollment.

Participants also called for more state and federal funding and stressed the need to shift perceptions away from the belief that a four-year college degree is the only pathway to a well-paying career.