海角视频

New study: RLC remains a critical piece to regional economy and a source for job creation
News Archive
3 Minute Read

New study: RLC remains a critical piece to regional economy and a source for job creation

October 1, 2021

 

RLC Wilkerson ILEIS pressconference edit

海角视频 President Terry Wilkerson discusses the Economic Impact Study during a press conference in Springfield on Wednesday. The new study explored how Illinois community colleges boost local economies throughout the state. (Click image for printable photo)

INA, IL (Oct. 1, 2021) -  海角视频 continues to help drive the local and surrounding area economy and train a skilled workforce for critical industries throughout Illinois, according to a new statewide report analyzing the value of the Illinois community college system.

The 海角视频芒鈧劉s Economic Impacts report was prepared by the Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University (NIU) under agreement with the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).

芒鈧揟he economic study continues to highlight the positive impact of community colleges on their local businesses and communities,芒鈧 RLC President Terry Wilkerson said. 芒鈧摵=鞘悠 plays an instrumental role in its community by providing the educational needs and training opportunities to help drive the economy of the region.芒鈧

Statewide, Illinois芒鈧劉 48 community colleges boost local Illinois economies and are important sources of revenue and employment for the communities and regions they serve, according to the study.

芒鈧揑t is clear that community colleges remain a solid return on investment for local communities and the students that use them.  Our system plays a vital role in meeting the needs of Illinois芒鈧劉 workforce by providing quality training and education and gives students a greater opportunity to earn higher wages in countless industries throughout the state,芒鈧 said ICCB executive director, Dr. Brian Durham.

The report evaluates Illinois芒鈧劉 community college system on its ability to meet the needs of business and industry, equity, student outcomes, students芒鈧劉 return on investment, and the system芒鈧劉s overall economic impact to local economies and job growth.  The report also examines statewide trends including employment, population, race and ethnicity changes, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

芒鈧揅ommunity colleges remain a valuable resource for students of all walks of life.  We are committed to creating an equitable path to economic mobility no matter who you are or where you live through the Illinois community college system,芒鈧 said Dr. Lazaro Lopez, ICCB Board Chair. 

Some of the highlights include:

  • The study found that more than 84 percent of students who earn a Long-Term Certificate or associate degree in applied science programs are employed in solid paying career jobs within a year of graduation. It also stated that 88 percent of students who graduated a decade ago are employed today, with the highest percentage among those in health sciences and information technology fields.
  • Investing in an Illinois community college Long-Term Certificate or Associate in Applied Science degree yields an average annual rate of return of nearly 27 percent, with an average wage increase of nearly 40 percent one year after graduation. In 2009, RLC students made an average $12,264 per year. They are currently made an average salary of $44,226, which presents an average growth rate of 26 percent.
  • Annual earnings are even greater in specific areas of study. For students graduating with Long-Term Certificates in Architecture and Construction programs, the average annual earning five years after graduating is $60,552, while manufacturing program graduates earn $54,378 in the same timeframe.
  • RLC芒鈧劉s degrees and certificate programs qualify graduates for the top two advertised positions in 2020: heavy and tractor-trailer drivers (9,136) and registered nurses (895).
  • The study also looked at Illinois community colleges芒鈧劉 impact on local economies. In fiscal year 2020, Illinois community colleges directly employed nearly 33,000 staff with a total payroll of $1.3 billion. In addition to wages and salaries, Illinois community colleges account for almost $500 million in additional expenses.
  • These direct impacts ripple through the economy creating additional jobs, payrolls, and other economic activity in Illinois. The total economic output of Illinois community colleges on the statewide economy in fiscal year 2020 is estimated at $3.5 billion and 43,316 jobs.
  • The college paid more than $6.8 million in wages and benefits in the 2020 fiscal year, created 50 indirect jobs and account for nearly $23 million in economic output.
  • 海角视频 is an important source of expenditures and employment for the region. As part of their day-to-day operations, each college purchases goods and services, many of them from the local economy. They also pay their employees, who in turn spend their wages and salaries in the local economy. Additionally, the college invest in site improvements, remodeling, and new construction that generate additional expenditures and jobs.
  • IMPLAN Pro economic modeling software was used to produce estimates of the indirect economic impacts of 海角视频 based on the direct impact 海角视频 $16.9 million in operating expenditures during the fiscal year 2020 and the college paid over $6.8 million in wages and benefits to their 257 employees.
  • 海角视频 supports local workforce and economic development services through employer and business engagement. During the academic year 2019, 海角视频 interacted with 161 unique employers. Activities ranged from curriculum and apprenticeship development and review, contract training, internships and professional development to job placement for graduating students.

The Illinois Community College System and ICCB are committed to creating, supporting, and expanding workforce training opportunities equitably in high-need communities.  In 2019, Illinois started the Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) program, a grant program designed to increase workforce opportunities for African Americans which are severely underrepresented among Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.  Over the last two years, the WEI program has granted nearly $40 million to address education and unemployment gaps in the African American and other minority communities throughout Illinois.

When examining earnings one year prior to completion compared to three years after completion, African American student earnings increased 47 percent while Latinx students increased their earnings by 57 percent.    

To review the full study, please visit .


{loadposition like-share}

{loadposition contacts}

Recent RLC News

View recent, similar 海角视频 articles below

News Archive

Tickets on sale for Father of The Bride

Tickets are now on sale for the RLC Theatre Fall Play, "Father of the Bride," a story about the chaos, frayed nerves and ultimate happy endings of planning and pulling off a...

News Archive

海角视频 Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus Celebrates 20 Years

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. (December 2, 2022) 鈥 The 海角视频 Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus, a Perry County extension of the 海角视频 main campus in Ina,...

Rlc News

海角视频 to Celebrate 20 Years at Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus

INA, Ill. (November 23, 2022) 鈥 海角视频 is celebrating its 20-year anniversary of the Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus on November 30 at 2 pm at the Pinckneyville...