"Manufacturing has powered Illinois communities for generations — and we are making sure Illinois workers lead the next era of this industry. These five new training academies will give more Illinoisans the opportunity to learn in-demand skills, earn a good living, and build a career close to home. At the same time, we are giving manufacturers another reason to invest, expand, and create jobs right here in Illinois."
The T Building expansion will add 6,730 square feet of new construction and renovate an additional 5,115 square feet to enhance welding, fabrication, and workforce training spaces. The project will increase access to hands-on learning opportunities while supporting the growth of competency-based education, short-term workforce credentials, and customized employer training.
Currently, Parkland's welding lab is one of only six American Welding Society-accredited testing facilities in Illinois and the only one located south of the I-80 corridor. With this funding, the college will be able to double the amount of welding booths on campus.
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The M Wing project will add 5,936 square feet of new classroom and laboratory space and renovate nearly 10,000 square feet of existing instructional space. The expansion will establish dedicated biomanufacturing laboratories designed for both upstream and downstream bioprocessing, enabling Parkland to offer specialized training that is not currently supported by existing campus infrastructure. The new facility will help address growing workforce needs in the biomanufacturing sector and strengthen the college's role within the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub.
"As central Illinois continues to grow as a leader in biomanufacturing technologies, it is critical that we have a trained workforce to accommodate incumbent and new employers," said Beth Conerty, Regional Innovation Officer for iFAB Tech Hub. "The iFAB Tech Hub is thrilled to see this additional investment in Parkland College's manufacturing training capabilities. This expansion will ensure more optionality and higher quality training for students in the region, and it will open doors for more students to train for and get jobs in the growing bioeconomy."
Industry partnerships play a central role in Parkland's workforce development mission. The college collaborates with more than 25 regional employers to ensure programs remain aligned with workforce needs. These partnerships support curriculum development, equipment donations, internships, apprenticeships, and other experiential learning opportunities that help students transition successfully into the workforce.
"Thanks to this investment from the State of Illinois, Parkland College will further expand its impact on manufacturing education and workforce development," Parkland Vice President for Academic Services Nancy Sutton said. "These state-of-the-art facilities will provide students and faculty with enhanced opportunities to train for current and emerging industries, and our graduates will gain the hands-on skills needed to build successful and lasting careers throughout District 505."
Together, the facility expansions will significantly increase Parkland's capacity to deliver workforce education in high-demand fields, including biomanufacturing, welding, industrial maintenance, automation, instrumentation, and process controls. The project will provide students with access to modern, industry-aligned learning environments while supporting both degree-seeking students and working professionals pursuing short-term credentials and specialized training.
Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2027, with new training programs launching in fall 2028. For more information about this initiative, visit Illinois.gov.
