LEARNING IN
Coles County
Coles County is committed to fostering a skilled workforce through exceptional education and training opportunities. With access to top-notch schools, vocational programs, and partnerships with Eastern Illinois University, we empower individuals to thrive in today's competitive job market and support the growth of local industries.
LAKE LAND COLLEGE
Lake Land College Center for Business & Industry (CBI) plays a leading role in providing employee training and development services to regional employers. CBI provides customized training in four critical areas of need for business and industry. These areas include quality and continuous process improvement; technical skills for manufacturing, including a 3,000 sf mobile, state-of-the-art lab with mechanical, electrical, fluid power, and process control equipment; organizational and leadership development; and computer software applications. CBI also provides support to areas businesses by documenting work standards, producing DACUM job profiles, writing technical and training manuals, facilitating live process improvement projects, and conducting certification testing.
​
In addition to training services offered through the CBI, Lake Land Community College offers traditional technical and pre-baccalaureate courses on campus and more than 140 online courses. Lake Land works with industry to customize courses and curricula to meet the changing needs of industry.
EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Eastern Illinois University (EIU) is a top public regional University offering Bachelor’s, Master’s and Specialist’s degrees with 69 undergraduate majors and 38 graduate programs. The Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Science houses the University’s Sustainable Entrepreneurship through Education and Development (SEED) Center.
The Seed Center offers free and confidential coaching to business start-ups and small ventures in a 10-county region, as well as training workshops for larger employers throughout the year. Through the SEED Center, EIU employees contribute their expertise to raise the economic viability of the area’s demographic and economic base. In addition, the SEED Center is also home to the Entrepreneurship Minor which is open to all majors across the EIU campus.