A federal grant will help Southwestern Illinois College bring a brighter future to its students by adding state-of-the-art technology and training to its Technical Education programs.

At a regional conference of technical education professionals Oct. 21, SWIC announced it had received a $1.4 million grant from the federal government.

The funding will pay for new machinery, technology, facilities and education for students in the college’s Technical Education division.

“This grant will provide us with the equipment we need to offer an advanced curriculum in machining and welding,” said SWIC Technical Education Dean Brad Sparks.

The advanced curriculum will help create a new pair of advanced certificates in both areas, helping students become more qualified for the jobs they’re seeking in these competitive industrial fields.

The funding comes as part of a $19.4 million grant the Illinois Green Economy Network’s Career Pathway Consortium received from the Department of Labor.

In particular, the grant will pay for high tech machinery such as arc welding systems, computerized numerical control tools and tooling equipment.

Further, it will help pay for staff to train advanced courses as well as help pay for a curriculum that will organize and teach students, plus pay for faculty to develop advanced courses.

The announcement came as part of the first Southern Illinois and Missouri Annual Technical Education Conference, held that same day.

The daylong event provided training and information sessions to technical educators from local area colleges, high schools and businesses. It was sponsored in part by the Haas Technical Education Center and Linn State Technical College.

For more information, call Sparks at 618-235-2700, ext. 7420, or toll-free at 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 7420.

Learn more about Technical Education programs at SWIC.