# Illinois Community Colleges Expand Career Training

Illinois community colleges reported that career and technical education enrollment rose 5.9% year over year in Fall 2026, reaching 75,208 students and 27.7% of total enrollment. The state highlighted investment in workforce programs for manufacturing, electric vehicles, and truck-driver training. No solicitation or contract was announced, but the enrollment growth and stated workforce priorities provide relevant context for providers serving community colleges and employers.

- The Illinois Community College Board’s reported enrollment figures signal increased demand for career-oriented training; companies offering curriculum, instruction, or employer-aligned training may find areas of future alignment in manufacturing, EVs, and truck driving.
- The announcement identifies no contract value, procurement vehicle, or proposal deadline, so it does not present a current bid opportunity.
- Organizations developing workforce offerings can use the reported enrollment and program focus areas to inform discussions with Illinois community colleges and employers about training needs.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 27, 2026

### Government Entities
- Illinois Community College Board (ICCB)
- Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE)
- Office of the Governor of Illinois

### Key Quotes
> Our 26% increase over the past four years means more students with a pathway to opportunity, a more robust workforce pipeline to help businesses grow and compete, and a stronger economy for all of Illinois.
> — JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

> Growth in career and technical education means more Illinoisans are gaining the skills that lead directly to good-paying jobs.
> — Brian Durham, Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board

> Students are telling us what they want: hands-on training that leads directly to a career.
> — Sylvia Jenkins, Chair of the Illinois Community College Board

### Sources
- [The State of Illinois Newsroom](https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/career-and-technical-education-enrollment-grows-by-nearly-6-percent-at-illinois-community-colleges) - IL