INA, Ill. (March 12, 2024) — Rend Lake College is levelling up its career training for students, thanks to a grant from the Illinois Community College Board of more than $50,000 for virtual reality tech.
The college is using the funding to purchase Transfr and zSpace, two VR implements that are revolutionizing the way students learn skills for careers in many Illinois industries.
Overall, the ICCB has awarded $766,000 to 12 Illinois Community Colleges to help implement virtual reality equipment into existing CTE programs throughout the state. Colleges are using the money to purchase VR hardware and software to recruit and instruct students in a variety of workforce training programs for industries like automotive technology, healthcare, criminal justice, manufacturing, and more.
“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,” said ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham.
The two-year grant program was passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Pritzker in FY24. Individual grant amounts were awarded based on college program and equipment needs.
"This funding brings new perspectives to community colleges around the state through VR technologies that will enhance and explore new avenues of hands-on learning in our schools," said bill sponsor and State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes (D-Chicago).
"VR programs have been utilized in many industries and have so much potential for growth in the future that implementing these programs in our community college system can give Illinois students a competitive advantage in their education and beyond."
CTE VR GRANTEES
| College | Award | Platform | Curricular Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Lincoln Land Community College | $91,688 | Microsoft, Apple & zSpace | Health Professions, Workforce Institute and Arts and Communications |
| 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) |
According to the ICCB, VR grant funding can be used to purchase VR hardware & software to expand or enhance current Career & Technical Education student recruiting practices using VR technology or start a new CTE program to include VR technology.
About the Illinois Community College Board
The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) is the state coordinating organization for the Illinois Community College System - the third largest in the country and the leading public workforce development trainer in the state. The ICCB has statutory responsibility for administering state and federal grants to community college districts and adult education providers and managing high school equivalency testing for Illinois. Illinois community colleges serve over 600,000 residents each year in credit, noncredit, and continuing education courses. Illinois is home to 48 colleges in 39 community college districts which provide high quality, accessible, cost-effective educational opportunities to the entire state.
ICCB Media Contact:
matt.berry@illinois.gov
(217) 785-7411
RLC Media Contact:
wheelern@rlc.edu
(618) 437-5321, Ext. 1234