ICCTA Business/Industry Partnership Award

2003 Nominees


2003 AWARD RECIPIENT
ThyssenKrupp Gerlach Company
Danville Area Community College

The 15-year alliance between this international automotive supplier and Danville Area Community College has generated results such as flexible training schedules for workers at four area plants and a one-year "Fast Track" degree in industrial maintenance. Most recently, DACC trainers traveled to ThyssenKrupp headquarters in Germany to administer the Work Keys job profiling and assessment for the company's new $30 million production line in Danville. "We have worked hand-in-hand to the mutual benefit of each partner," says president Joe Pycz.


Carlisle SynTech
Kaskaskia College

Carlisle SynTec is the industry leader in single-ply roofing systems. Since 1992, Kaskaskia College has offered customized training to Carlisle maintenance employees that increases their skill base while allowing them to work toward an associate degree in industrial technology. In addition, the college has held classes in leadership and computer skills for nearly 40 percent of the company's workforce. "Working together has provided a win-win situation," says Carlisle human resources supervisor Jan Woker.


Decatur Memorial Hospital
Richland Community College

In response to the area's nursing shortage, Richland Community College and Decatur Memorial Hospital partnered in 1992 to create an associate degree nursing program. The hospital has released several of its nurses to teach part-time in the college program, offers scholarships for Richland students, and provides clinical sites for healthcare classes. "We believe that it is through these types of collaborative partnerships that Decatur and the surrounding communities will advance economic development," says DMH president Kenneth Smithmier.


DOT Foods, Inc.
John Wood Community College

DOT Foods requires all employees to complete 40 contact-hours of training or continuing education each year. John Wood Community College has established a satellite campus on the grounds of this national warehousing and distribution company to assist employees in meeting this goal. The facility's distance-learning capabilities also allow workers to access training from anywhere on the globe. "It has been a pleasure to work with John Wood in our pursuit of a dynamic, well-trained workforce," says DOT official Pat Tracy.


Federal-Mogul Corporation
Oakton Community College

Due to budget constraints, this global supplier of automotive components and sub-systems has outsourced its entire training department to Oakton Community College. Plans are also underway for the fall 2003 opening of Federal-Mogul University, an on-site Oakton classroom exclusively for company employees. "Oakton is helping us to view and implement training as a means of accomplishing strategic objectives, not as an end in itself," says Patrick Eden, manager of human resources.


Holten Meat Inc.
Southwestern Illinois College

For the past three years, Southwestern Illinois College has offered an annual professional development series for all members of the Holten management team. The program has grown from one seminar in 2000 to 10 sessions in 2002. Participants review the company's mission statement and core values and concentrate on upgrading the leadership skills needed to carry out the Holten mission. As a result of the program, one individual on the training team stated, "Our concerns are handled more smoothly. The workplace just seems better."


Iowa Beef Processing
Black Hawk College

Iowa Beef Processing and Black Hawk College recently established a welding-training program for IBP maintenance workers to increase employee safety and productivity. The classes have already led to a 20 percent decrease in the time required to fix a machine, thereby reducing downtime for the full production line. In addition, an OHSA chemical-response refresher course and an advanced welding class are in the works. "We are committed to continuing the education of our Team Members at all levels within our workforce," says plant manager Todd Reed.


Orland School District 135
Moraine Valley Community College

Moraine Valley Community College provides on-site technology training for Orland School District teachers and paraprofessionals, allowing them to develop computer skills to match and exceed those of their incoming students. The classes also qualify for certified professional development units to fulfill re-certification requirements. In its first year, the program has served more than 450 teachers and paraprofessionals. "This partnership has greatly benefitted both the college and District 135 and represents a best practice in communication, coordination, and innovation," says assistant superintendent Rita Wojtylewski.


Vactor Manufacturing Inc.
Illinois Valley Community College

Vactor is the major designer and manufacturer of sewer cleaners and one of the largest companies in the environmental industry. Over the last six years, it has partnered with Illinois Valley Community College to customize curricula in software programs, electronic productivity, conflict management, and supervisory skills. By the end of June 2002, most of the company's 480 employees had been trained in Lean Manufacturing principles. "We remain confident that through training and working together, we can continue to make measurable performance improvements throughout our company," says Vactor's human resources director Mary Jane Funke.


WMS Gaming
College of Lake County

Officials at WMS Gaming and the College of Lake County have collaborated on an on-site corporate university that offers courses ranging from ESL classes to business writing to performance coaching. More than 300 employees at various levels of the corporation have been impacted by the program. "CLC's support and expertise in aiding our conception and development of WMS University is merely one highlight of success and commitment to our partnership," says company president Brian Gamache.


For additional information, please contact Kim Villanueva at 1-800-454-2282, ext. 1.